Sick Twist In Drug Testing

Qantas has outraged its workforce by proposing targeted drug and alcohol testing of all workers who take sick leave.

Under the plan, the airline would test sick workers not just for illegal, but also prescription drugs, with workers who refuse the test facing dismissal.

Two thousand Qantas workers will attend a briefing on the drug testing plan on Tuesday, where they will hear from union and medical experts on the impact of the plan.

The airline has angered workers by releasing its policy prior to a proper consultation process and have ignored the recommendations of its workplace safety committee.

Labor Council secretary John Robertson says the targeting of workers who take sick leave amounts to intimidation.

"What Qantas is saying is that if you access your sick leave entitlements you will be treated differently from other workers."

"We don't support people turning up for work under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but Qantas is going about this all the wrong way.

"Unions believe that the tests used by the NSW police which have a 95% succes rate to test drug test drivers on the roads and is based on impairment - should be the standard for all workplaces."

More information: UnionSafe has developed a range of drug and alcohol fact sheets which can be accessed from http://unionsafe.labor.net.au/safety_reps

To read more about the privacy implications of testing at work please see fact sheet 12 at http://unionsafe.labor.net.au/safety_reps/103787041810566.html

This article first appeared in Workers Online edition 189. To visit the Workers Online website, please click http://www.workers.labor.net.au

To comment on this or any other item appearing on the UnionSafe website please click http://www.unionsafe.labor.net.au/shoptalk

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:38 EST