U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace: Legal Developments and Management Strategies

NCJ Number
111431
Author(s)
V Schacter; T E Geidt; S G Ruben
Date Published
1986
Length
125 pages
Annotation
This text describes the crucial legal issues associated with alcohol and other drug abuse in the workplace and explores investigative techniques available to employers.
Abstract
It also addresses issues raised by rehabilitation and discipline and describes corporate strategies that can be implemented to control substance abuse in the workplace. The text emphasizes the need to balance the employer's need to know with the employee's right to privacy. Search and seizure rules and provisions related to privacy are outlined with respect to both the U.S. Constitution and State constitutions. Employee drug testing is examined in terms of testing methods, employee concerns, legal limits, and the use of random testing. Further sections examine the employer's liability for wrongful discharge and related civil torts, substance abuse issues arising under collective bargaining agreements, issues related to equal employment opportunity laws and State benefits laws, and safety in the workplace. Components of strategies to control employee substance abuse are examined. Chapter notes, excerpts from legislation, and summaries of court decisions.