Pubdate: Thu, 28 Mar 2002
Source: Helsingin Sanomat International Edition (Finland)
Copyright: 2002 2000 Helsingin Sanomat
Contact:  http://www.helsinki-hs.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1158
Author: Helsingin Sanomat
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

WORKING GROUP OPPOSES WIDESPREAD WORKPLACE DRUG TESTING

Tests Acceptable Only Under Special Circumstances

A working group of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health does not 
favour the establishment of widespread routine drug testing at Finnish 
workplaces.

According to a report submitted on Wednesday, drug tests would only be 
acceptable in special circumstances related to a specific task, to work 
safety, or to a special need for an intoxicant-free working environment.

The working group feels that testing should not be used as a means of 
assessing an employee's overall trustworthiness.

The group also calls for special legislation to set the ground rules for 
workplace drug testing.

The working group was not unanimous; representatives of labour market 
organisations and a representative of the Ministry of Labour submitted 
dissenting opinions.

Those in the minority felt that the problems related to drug testing are so 
difficult that more work would need to be done in a working group of the 
Ministry of Labour.

The Minister of Social Services Osmo Soininvaara (Green) also felt that the 
issue needs more consideration.

The Ministry of Labour working group is looking at the drug testing issue 
from various points of view. Soininvaara said that he expects that the 
issue will not be brought before Parliament until the Ministry of Labour 
working group has completed its work.

As drug tests involve interference with an individual's fundamental rights, 
the working group feels that testing should be mostly voluntary.

However, the working group feels that an employee should be obliged to take 
part in a drug tests when the work involves a security risk, or if there is 
reason to suspect that an employee is intoxicated while at work.

Pre-employment drug tests would also be possible in cases in which an 
employee or trainee has already been chosen for a job.

The actual results of a drug test would be confidential; an employer would 
not have the right to know if the test itself is positive or negative, but 
the medical personnel conducting the test would give a statement on whether 
or not the person in question is appropriate, conditionally appropriate, or 
inappropriate for the job at hand.

The members of the working group feel that the drug testing procedures 
currently in use are reliable, but that it is difficult to draw conclusions 
on the nature of a person's use of intoxicants on the basis of the test 
results alone.

The working group did not take a stand on testing for intoxicant use at 
schools, saying that the issue needs more work.

The chairman of the working group, Matti Lamberg, believes that the 
proposals in the group's report does not differ much from current practice 
at many Finnish work places.

"Perhaps this would clarify it and give it a legal foundation, especially 
with respect to fundamental rights", Lamberg says.

In the view of the Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers (TT), 
the proposals of the working group do not go far enough. The TT has sent a 
letter to Social Services Minister Soininvaara criticising the way the 
working group was led, and complaining that the views of the labour market 
organisations were ignored.

In the view of the TT, there are many economic and other important 
interests linked with working life which make drug testing necessary.

A number of Finnish companies conduct pre-employment drug tests. Sonera has 
had drug screening as part of its pre-employment physical for about a year. 
The employer is not told of the result of the test, but the doctor takes 
the result into consideration when giving a more general statement on 
whether or not the prospective employee is suitable for the position.

If a Sonera employee is suspected of using drugs while at work, he or she 
can undergo a voluntary test.

The Finnish Defence Forces are considering the implementation of drug tests 
within its ranks. A drug strategy for the Defence Forces is scheduled for 
completion in June.

Nokia does not have a drug testing programme. Nokia communications director 
Tapani Kaskinen says that the company treats illegal drugs like any other 
intoxicants: if an employee's behaviour gives reason to suspect that he or 
she is intoxicated at work, the issue is discussed and testing is considered.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jackl