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