Team Members: Nicole Cates, Savathi Kem, Eric Strong, Gregory Brouillette

Advisor: Tom Anderson

Topic/Audience: The Ethical Implications of Workplace Drug Testing

Executive Summary

Based on our evaluation of the circumstances with respect to Granite Construction, Co. (client), it is the professional opinion of MBI Safety Solutions, LLC that it falls within our clients ethical responsibilities to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of its employees through the implementation and enforcement of a regimented drug testing program.

Our recommendation is based on a thorough evaluation of the most significant and relevant factors related to the issue, including:

To ensure the most effective and balanced drug-testing program, MBI Safety Solutions has drafted a set of comprehensive procedural guidelines. Compliance with the following recommended policy measures will ensure the most ethically responsible and effective workplace drug-testing program:

1. A statement of policy must be released to all employees making clear the company’s expectations regarding drug use, clarifying the company’s drug-use policies, and detailing the consequences associated with non-compliance;
2. Prior to implementing the program, the company must provide employees with ample opportunity to provide medical documentation supporting a legitimate use for any testable substance;
3. A comprehensive assistance program emphasizing education, counseling, and treatment must be developed for employees found to be involved in the illegal use of drugs, wishing to continue employment with the company;
4. Supervisors should be effectively trained to assist in identifying and addressing illegal drug use by employees, and
5. Excluding cases involving direct violation of the law, stipulations ensuring respect for employee confidentiality should be enacted and enforced by upper-management.

MBI Safety Solutions, LLC extends its full endorsement to any drug-testing program following these recommended guidelines. Based on our research and findings, we are fully convinced that it is our client’s ethical responsibility to do everything possible to ensure the safety, security, and well being of its employees through a program of enforced drug-testing.