Predictors of the Implementation of Employee Drug Testing

Bruce J. Eberhardt
Steven B. Moser
Laura Driscoll

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DOI: 10.2190/C7YD-2M04-L6N1-L1QC

Abstract

This study investigated four categories of predictors of the use of the employee drug testing. The categories included company revenue, type of company, unionization, and attitudinal measures collected from human resource managers. Data were collected from 101 small-to-moderate-sized companies, of which 35 percent engaged in drug testing. Factor analysis was conducted on an attitudinal scale that asked respondents to indicate the appropriateness of drug testing in thirty-four occupations. Two factors were revealed: one concerned occupations in which drug testing may be considered discretionary, while the second concerned occupations that require drug testing for safety reasons. Stepwise regression analysis revealed significant effects for the attitudinal and type-of-company measures. Manufacturing/transportation firms and managers who were in favor of drug testing for discretionary occupations were more likely to test. Explanations of the results are discussed along with implications for the implementation of drug testing.

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