| A healthy, safe, and engaging work environment is one | | | | due to an again baby-boom population, workforce in |
| of the most critical requirements for employers and | | | | the health industry is increasing while showing no signs |
| their employees. The ability for personnel to compose | | | | of slowdown. Therefore, stringent measures are |
| themselves as part of your company's workforce is | | | | required to make sure that every health worker is not |
| essential in promoting the efficiency and effectiveness | | | | only highly capable and well educated. In addition, |
| of you company. | | | | standard drug tests are appropriate to ensure a |
| However, of all the current issues under constant | | | | healthy and clean labor service sector with high |
| discussion, drug testing is one procedure that is often | | | | integrity. |
| overlooked. More often than not, drug testing could be | | | | Drug dependent employees in highly sensitive service |
| the line between a positive workforce and | | | | industries could mean life and death for their charges. |
| discouraged and wasteful employees. Drug testing | | | | A missed dose by a sickly elder or incapability of |
| ensures that such costs are accounted including the | | | | physicians or doctors in diagnosis and in the operating |
| health and well-being of its employees. | | | | table provides a basis for stringent drug testing policies. |
| The service industry continues to be the most | | | | Drug problems in organizations can be manifested in |
| vulnerable business sector in case of drug dependent | | | | various forms. These include absenteeism, liability and |
| employees. Impairment due to drug abuse puts critical | | | | insurance, product or service issues, worker's |
| service providers in direct contact as seen with | | | | compensation claim, accidents, rising health care costs, |
| teachers, caregivers, and nurses. The constant human | | | | cost for replacing damaged equipment and inventory, |
| interaction required for service personnel along with | | | | and cost of work spoilage. The occurrence of these |
| the critically skilled procedures that only these jobs can | | | | events can affect all segments of the workforce. |
| do makes drug testing in the workplace a relevant | | | | The core of all of these is that the importance of |
| policy for companies. These jobs are classified as | | | | workplace drug testing in the service industry is |
| safety-sensitive positions or human-intensive services. | | | | emphasized because each member of the workforce |
| Employees in the public sector with the prime | | | | is responsible for someone person's life. The weight of |
| responsibility to ensure public safety such as law | | | | such responsibilities shows that any danger or harm |
| enforcers, firemen, and other public servant should also | | | | posed to drug dependent employees could also mean |
| be included in the loop of workplace drug testing. | | | | the safety of their patients. Drug testing as a tool to |
| The Service Industry | | | | increase control and productivity within the health |
| The service industry especially in the health sector | | | | services is more urgent and necessary compared to |
| continues to be one of the most sensitive jobs today. | | | | other sectors. |
| With the rising demand for health workers and nurses | | | | |