Pre Employment Test Changes Raise Questions
One city recently voted down an attempt to reduce its pre-employment test for drugs and alcohol.
The Greenwood, Miss., City Council unanimously voted down the idea and directed the city attorney to come up with a tighter version of the policy within the next 30 days, according to an article by The Greenwood Commonwealth.
The city currently conducts pre-employment testing for drugs on all potential employees and has the ability to conduct random testing on all hired employees except clerical workers. Also, any employee involved in a motor vehicle accident while on official business or during work hours is issued a drug test.
The new policy would have eliminated pre-employment drug testing. The city got the idea from the City of Pearl, whose policy only allows random testing of police and fire personnel. Greenwood planned to add Department of Public Works employees to that list and eliminate testing as the result of an accident.
Several City Council members disagreed with the idea, saying the city should strengthen its policy rather than loosen it. Some feel any weakening of policy would result in an influx of people with drug problems applying for city jobs. A looser policy also could result in the city losing money and potential lawsuits.