Testing doesn't make workplaces safer, says labour federation
The Alberta Federation of Labour has updated its policy on workplace drug and alcohol testing to clearly statE that it opposes mandatory drug testing of employees.
AFL president Gil McGowan said the federation's last Policy Statement on Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing was passed in 2001 and that it was time for an update.
"In short, the policy clearly opposes all forms of employer-imposed drug and alcohol testing," said McGowan. "It does so for two reasons. First, it is an unreasonable invasion of workers' privacy and in many cases contravenes the human rights code."
He added that drug and alcohol testing doesn't make workplaces safer. He pointed to Alberta government research that shows testing cannot be shown to reduce work-related injuries.
"Our belief is that employers are using drug testing as a method of exerting control over their workforce, not to make workplaces safer," he said
The policy offers information and alternatives to workers and unions when an employer tries to impose mandatory testing and urges unions to push back against employers implementing testing programs.
"We intend on informing our members fully of what employers can and cannot do legally," said McGowan.
The policy opposes the use of pre-employment testing, random testing and post-incident testing. It also offers practical alternatives to testing which are shown to be more effective at making workplaces safer without contravening workers' rights.
AFL president Gil McGowan said the federation's last Policy Statement on Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing was passed in 2001 and that it was time for an update.
"In short, the policy clearly opposes all forms of employer-imposed drug and alcohol testing," said McGowan. "It does so for two reasons. First, it is an unreasonable invasion of workers' privacy and in many cases contravenes the human rights code."
He added that drug and alcohol testing doesn't make workplaces safer. He pointed to Alberta government research that shows testing cannot be shown to reduce work-related injuries.
"Our belief is that employers are using drug testing as a method of exerting control over their workforce, not to make workplaces safer," he said
The policy offers information and alternatives to workers and unions when an employer tries to impose mandatory testing and urges unions to push back against employers implementing testing programs.
"We intend on informing our members fully of what employers can and cannot do legally," said McGowan.
The policy opposes the use of pre-employment testing, random testing and post-incident testing. It also offers practical alternatives to testing which are shown to be more effective at making workplaces safer without contravening workers' rights.
