Testing for Employment at CSU Fresno
The Association Board of Directors at California State University, Fresno are considering implementing a policy that would require random drug testing for employment in the school's auxiliary services department.
Most employers today require candidates to undergo some form of pre employment test - from drug testing to a virtual experience, like Agent Day in the Life - before they will offer a position. CSU Fresno hopes its potential random drug policy would help keep workers and students safer.
The policy would help ensure the safety and security of employees and others throughout the campus community. The Association Board of Directors is responsible for managing the on-campus auxiliary services commercial operations.
According to an article by The Collegian Online, operations that would be considered part of the screening process would include the Kennel Bookstore, Student Recreation Center, University Dining Services, University Courtyard and University Student Union.
Testing options would vary depending on an individual's circumstances and could include pre-employment drug testing, testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing based on work-related injury.
Random drug testing would only apply to employees working in safety-sensitive positions, which would include any position that involves the operation of equipment, driving vehicles, handling food or any other type of situation that presents danger of bodily injury or life threatening danger to the employee or others.
Alex Garcia, a student representative on the Association Board of Directors, said the random drug testing policy could be beneficial, especially to those working in the food service industry, but also thinks the random testing should only apply to certain employees.
"It is important because [dining services] provides food services to the students," she said in the article. "Not only would the quality of food be decreased if someone were doing drugs, messing around on the job, but also they would put themselves in danger."
"If [random drug testing] were for all employees, I almost see it as kind of a waste of money, because it does cost money to run those drug tests and have them analyzed," Garcia added. "It may be a preventative tool, but not necessarily for the students who sit at a desk for five hours."
The Association Board of Directors plans to vote on the measure December 8. If approved, it would begin Jan. 1, 2010.