Drug testing in the workplace - Report of the Independent Inquiry into Drug Testing at Work

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Adam

Drug testing in the workplace examines the evidence behind policies that involve testing for illicit drugs in employment settings. The inquiry covers the basics of drug testing, how drugs affect people at work, and scientific questions around what tests measure, reliability, cut-off levels, false positives, and false negatives. It also reviews the legal framework, ethical issues such as privacy and fairness, and employer and societal responsibilities. The report then analyses trends, employers’ attitudes, types of tests used, and the costs and benefits, including safety-critical environments, absenteeism, and turnover.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages104

Reading Time4 h 22 min

AccessFree to download

Chair’s introduction

Executive summary

Introduction

The purpose and scope of the Inquiry

Conclusion

Drug testing in the workplace Also available from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Prescribing heroin: what is the evidence? Gerry V. Stimson and Nicky Metrebian A growing market: the domestic cultivation of cannabis Mike Hough, Hamish Warburton, Bradley Few, Tiggey May, Lan-Ho Man, John Witton and Paul J. Turnbull Times they are a-changing: policing of cannabis Tiggey May, Hamish Warburton, Paul J. Turnbull and Mike Hough Drug testing in the workplace The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Drug Testing at Work Independent Inquiry into Drug Testing at Work Facilitator Funder Funder The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has supported this project as part of its programme of research and innovative development projects, which it hopes will be of value to policy makers, practitioners and service users. The facts presented and views expressed in this report are, however, those of the Independent Inquiry into Drug Testing at Work and not necessarily those of the Foundation, NEF or Drugscope. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, The Homestead, 40 Water End, [York YO30 6WP Website: www.jrf.org.uk](York YO30 6WP Website: www.jrf.org.uk) The Independent Inquiry into Drug Testing at Work Chair: Ruth Evans Director: Yolande Burgin Inquiry Co-ordinator: Vanna De Rosas Report prepared by: Marcus Roberts Commissioners Lord Adebowale CBE, Chief Executive of Turning Point Tom Bentley, Director of Demos Pamela Carr, London Chamber of Commerce, Occupational Health Line Manager Professor Simon Deakin, Robert Monks Professor of Corporate Governance, University of Cambridge Professor Anthony Dickenson, Professor of Neuropharmacology, University College, London Dr Clare Gerada, General Practitioner and Council Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners and Director of Primary Care for the National Clinical Governance Support Team Professor A.C. Grayling, Reader in Philosophy, Birkbeck College Carole Hassan, Chief Executive of Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council Jacqueline Jeynes, Chair of HSR UK Policy Group, Federation of Small Businesses Professor Mike Kelly, Director of Research and Information, NHS Health Development Agency Tom Mellish, Health and Safety Policy Officer, TUCKate Nash, Director of the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation Brian Pomeroy, Chair of the National Lottery Commission Richard Reeves, Business expert and journalist Rowena Young, Chief Executive of the School for Social Entrepreneurs John Wadham, former Director of Liberty, resigned in July 2003 to become Deputy Chair of the Police Complaints Commission © Drugscope 2004 First published 2004 by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation All rights reserved. Reproduction of this report by photocopying or electronic means for non-commercial purposes is permitted. Otherwise, no part of this report may be reproduced, adapted, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. ISBN 1 85935 211 1 (paperback) ISBN 1 85935 212 X (pdf: [available at www.jrf.org.uk](available at www.jrf.org.uk)) A CIP catalogue record for this report is available from the British Library. Cover design by Adkins Design Prepared and printed by: York Publishing Services Ltd 64 Hallfield Road Layerthorpe York YO31 7ZQ Tel: 01904 430033; Fax: 01904 430868; [Website: www.yps-publishing.co.uk](Website: www.yps-publishing.co.uk) Further copies of this report, or any other JRF publication, can be obtained either from the JRF website ([www.jrf.org.uk/](www.jrf.org.uk/)[ ](www.jrf.org.uk/)[bookshop/](bookshop/)) [or from our distributor](or from our distributor), [York Publishing Services Ltd](York Publishing Services Ltd), at the above address. Contents Chair’s introduction viii Executive summary x Introduction 3 An important issue 3 A complex issue 5 The purpose and scope of the Inquiry 6 Co

FAQs

What does the report cover regarding how drug testing works?

It explains what drug testing is, what tests do and do not measure, and how reliable results are, including discussion of cut-off levels, false positives, and false negatives.

How does the report address legal responsibilities and rights related to drug testing?

It reviews the law applicable to drug testing at work, including employers’ responsibilities and legal protection for employees, alongside ethics such as privacy and fairness.

What evidence does the report present on trends, costs, and benefits of workplace drug testing?

It analyses trends in drugs and alcohol at work, employers’ attitudes and the prevalence of testing, and evaluates costs and benefits, with emphasis on safety-critical environments as well as absenteeism and turnover.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Adam