Big Brother is watching you (& your cigarettes)

[angledge]

A US firm sacks four of its workers after they refuse to take a test to determine if they are smokers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4213441.stm

Comments

[sskipstress.livejournal.com]

The only reasons I can see for testing for illegal drugs are the loss of productivity if that person gets caught or lack of performance due to effects of the drug. I don't see how the first is the employer's business anyway. The second case is the employer's business, but should be a reactive drug test based on suspicion due to performance issues rather than a random procedure.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

The random nature of the tests is supposed to be a deterrent. Also, a random drug-testing policy is required by the Federal government on some contracts (specifically, anywhere where our company's employees could endanger human health or the environment if they're working while impaired).