Drug testing in the IT industry

[scumdog]

Don't forget the hangover from the alcohol consumption from the night before, and the synthetic cannabis smoked before work, and you have the perfect storm. Oh, and the P smoking on Friday after work (it's only detectable for a couple of days after consumption).

And the forgetfulness caused by an overindulgence of Gods safest drug...

[Bassmatt]

Sleep deprivation is already targeted as a danger in many lines of work. Truck drivers have to use and fill out log books, and stick to very strict rules about driving times, there are rules on how many hours you can work in a row (differs for general haulage vs taxis) without having a break. there are rules about how long that break has to be to be classed as an actual ''break". there are rules about haw many maximum hours can be worked in a 24 hour period. there are rules about how many minimum hours must be observed as rest between shifts. there are rules about how many hours can be worked maximum in a given period (day and week). failure to observe these rules, and correctly document them results in substantial fines, and often, instant loss of licence which can last a fair while depending on the severity. Te log books themselves are the 'test' or 'proof', and yes, like any test it can be faked etc, but the point is, that sleep deprivation IS targeted, and ''tested'

Knowing how many hours someone has worked in a given period is NO indication of how much sleep they have had or how fatigued they are.
You've never been out too late on a worknight?

[Trade_nancy]

I have worked in IT for 27 years and have never found it necessary for my drugs to be tested.

[swbarnett]

Can't make them too stupid... everything you use everyday on an electronic device was made by a sugar and caffeine fueled programmer

Boy, does that explain a lot.

[huff3r]

I would just like to mention that a lot of employers probably use drug testing as an indirect h&s check. As in if said employee is willing to break the law by using illicit substances, then what other laws/rules/guidelines might they choose to ignore?

Not saying it's necessarily right, but that it is another viewpoint to consider. I realise the whole because he speeds means he might assault people too is quite far from the truth, but job seeking is a competitive environment. Culling the competition makes choosing easier.

Same as how the RNZAF won't take pilots without the required NCEA results. 1000s of applications for 3 jobs a year need to be culled somehow.

[tigertim20]

Knowing how many hours someone has worked in a given period is NO indication of how much sleep they have had or how fatigued they are.
You've never been out too late on a worknight?

for fuck sake did you read the whole paragraph? or just leap into a response?
As I alluded to, no 'test' is perfect. staying up late is something that isnt accounted for, just like the drug tests currently used will not detect a variety of other drugs, fuck, Ive known driver to run dual log books - theres another way around the system.

My point was, in reply to Smokey, that sleep deprivation IS a focus in regard to H&S and employment etc