Should laid off workers have to pass drug tests to get unemployment comp?

[Andy9o8 0]

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http://rawstory.com//printstory.php?story=14815

Republican Florida legislator wants random drug tests for the unemployed
03/16/2009 @ 9:42 am
Filed by David Edwards and Muriel Kane


Employers have justified drug tests in the workplace by pointing to such negative effects of drug use as absenteeism and work-related injuries. Now a Florida legislator has proposed that random drug-testing also be applied to those receiving unemployment insurance, justifying it as a way to make state funds go further.

"I wanted to ensure that people who are qualified for unemployment -- that the money would be there when they actually go down and get unemployment and that we weren't supporting the people who were not able to go to work," Bennett explained. "It was nothing against the people who were using the drugs as much as it was to ensure that the people who needed unemployment, it would be there when they got there."

Bill Piper of the Drug Policy Alliance, which is dedicated to ending the "war on drugs," responded that "to require someone to pass a drug test to get their unemployment insurance after they've been laid off is pretty cruel -- and to require them to pay for the test themselves is even more cruel."

"It's a pretty degrading process," Piper went on. "You have to urinate in front of another person. ... You have to tell complete strangers if you're on birth control or Viagra or if you're suffering from depression."

"Normal, everyday Americans shouldn't have to go through that," insisted Piper. "We're talking about people who've already paid into the unemployment system. They've been working hard already, and it's simply unfair to throw another hurdle to feeding their families."

[A]ccording to election disclosure forms, [Bennett] did receive a $500 donation to his 2006 election campaign from Abbott Laboratories, which provides workplace drug test kits.

[beowulf 1]

Sounds good to me

[ryoder 1,397]

In the '50's we had McCarthyism: You were a communist unless you proved otherwise.

Today we have drug testing: You are a drug user unless you prove otherwise.

You want drug testing, then fine: Let's test for all drugs. Last number I was from CDC were about 435,000 deaths a year from tobacco and 75,000 from alcohol. Seems a no-brainer for the nanny state to protect us from those.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[kylepass 0]

that's crazy, what about "land of the free?"

This website has become tiresome...

[Glitch 0]

Absolutely F'n NOT! To start with, I personally feel that random drug tests are an invasion of privacy. Granted, there are numerous professions where being subjected to a random DT would be reasonable (commercial pilots, police, EVERBODY in politics, etc.), but for the population as a whole then I don't think so. Given a valid reason for a DT, such as a workplace or auto accident, then certainly. What people do on their own time, providing that no harm comes to others, is really nobody elses business. To randomly piss those who are layed off due to no fault of their own, soley to stretch the $$$ in the state's coffers is quite frankly, absurd.

but like most every other topic that erodes the basic fabric of the Good Ol USofA and our personal rights, ...well, we all know what will happen next.

Randomly f'n thingies up since before I was born...

[TrophyHusband 0]

no. and would it really save that much money anyway?

"Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama
www.kjandmegan.com

[georgerussia 0]

I think Florida legislators should also be randomly tested for drug use.

* Don't pray for me if you wanna help - just send me a check. *

[SivaGanesha 2]

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Now a Florida legislator has proposed that random drug-testing also be applied to those receiving unemployment insurance, justifying it as a way to make state funds go further.

Since unemployment insurance is supposed to support workers for a temporary period while they look for similar work to their last position, in theory, if the worker was laid off from a job that required random drug testing, Florida would be within its rights to demand drug tests as a condition of unemployment insurance. Conversely if the last paid job the worker had did not require drug testing, Florida has no basis for requiring it to obtain unemployment insurance.

In practice I think enforcing such a rule under such limited circumstances would be more trouble than it is worth, so Florida should not do it.

"It's hard to have fun at 4-way unless your whole team gets down to the ground safely to do it again!"--Northern California Skydiving League re USPA Safety Day, March 8, 2014

[TheAnvil 0]

That's a stupid idea. Drugs should be legal and taxed for revenue.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[D22369 0]

fucccckkkkk no,

if peeps can camp on dshs and smoke crack while making more babies obtaining a larger paycheck while not being tested
then then why pick on the people who are unemployed?

they want to do this then they better :

test our nations leaders,
test cops,
test anyone recieving state assistance,


I am currently going through the application process for a county job, I have to be drug tested - cool, no probs, however there seems to be a double standard here... cops dont, lawmakers dont... welfare recipients dont... the local cop union - whoever the fuck they are are currently fighting a push to get the cops random drug tests.. the cops are not willing to do them and have a good lawyer or two... interesting standards some people have, I would be out fixing roads and replacing signs.. they have guns and badges - who "if high" would be the greater threat?

shit like this cracks me up - too many stupid fuckers with too much time on their hands with their heads shoved waaaaay too far up thier own asses.


Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[shropshire 0]

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That's a stupid idea. Drugs should be legal and taxed for revenue.

+1

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Amazon 7]

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I think Florida ALL legislators should also be randomlymonthly tested for drug use.

There I fixed that for you.

[Gawain 0]

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shit like this cracks me up - too many stupid fuckers with too much time on their hands with their heads shoved waaaaay too far up thier own asses.

Just quoting for truth...

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[jimmytavino 16]

Piper could be wrong, when he states, that "people who have paid into the system"......

fact is.. ( around here at least. ) Unemployment Insurance premiums are paid by the Employer.. not the employee...

and it's Not like social security... it's not set aside somewhere" in the name" of any individual employee...

Fact is... Most of the $$$$ probably goes for adminitration BS, and other expenses of running such a system.....

when those funds ARE
eventually made available to those who have lost a job... It could be wise to make sure that the $$$$ isn't being SPENT on drugs of ANY type... especially alcohol and tobacco...
Testing each person, would be going a bit overboard, however... IMHO...
Random testing is akin to 'selective enforcement' of say, traffic laws, or akin to "profiling",,,,, neither of which , is very fair...


jmy

[hwt 0]

There should not be testing at all , unless an accident occurred.I am amazed how people out there push to control everything.
Picture going down to the unemployment office and getting put through that treatment.We are not criminals nor should we be treated like one.Even if the worker was on drugs , he still earned his pay check.Blue Skies!

[Andy9o8 0]

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Piper could be wrong, when he states, that "people who have paid into the system"...... fact is.. ( around here at least. ) Unemployment Insurance premiums are paid by the Employer.. not the employee... and it's Not like social security... it's not set aside somewhere" in the name" of any individual employee...

There's no single rule. Some states do deduct UC contribution from employees' pay, while in other states it's contributed solely by the employer.

[jimmytavino 16]

right

Unemployment benefits are Insurance for those who have a lost a job, FOR which premiums were being paid

workers compensation is different, though it too is something of large pool of money. It to help anyone who is Legitimately !!! injured, while at work...

As someone who has been paying both premiums for decades,,,, and never seeing ANY return for it, It does BUG me, when someone fakes an injury, or over exaggerates an injury,, just in order "to collect"....

and these idiotic HUGE workers comp settlements , really irk me... except in true cases of workplace tragedies..

as for drug tests....
not my call...
jmy

[livendive 8]

I'm moderately perturbed by employer drug-testing, but understand that they are private entities, with whom a contract can specify the degree of disclosure required by an applicant.

But as for the government? What ever happened to, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[Krip 2]

I think the laid off workers whole family includeing grand parents and the Dr that was present at their birth should all be drug tested before any unemployent is paid.

Bonus's are exempt from drug testing per contract

One Jump Wonder

[kylepass 0]

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no. and would it really save that much money anyway?

wouldn't this cost the government millions of dollars, thats not very conservative in this time of economic woes.

This website has become tiresome...