Letter: Too many people want to play Big Brother
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr Bernard Ryan
Sir: Your report ("Police chiefs clash over drugs tests", 30 August) of the suggestion that drugs tests be more widely practised at the workplace is profoundly worrying. In a society in which soft drugs are routinely taken, and scarcely objected to, this seems a remarkable development.
One question is, why is this the concern of the police? On what basis does Ian Oliver, for example, claim a "legal and moral responsibility" upon employers to identify drug use? When did employers become special constables? And when did chief constables become management consultants, advising companies on the benefits of such tests?
The wider issue concerns the increased use of drugs tests by employers to which your report referred. The object of these tests is not primarily to improve safety. Rather, they are an attempt by companies to dictate the behaviour of their employees outside working hours. No doubt the taking of drugs can occasionally affect an individual's performance at work. But, then, this is true of most things people do outside company time - like playing sport, or having children, or staying up too late, or social drinking. Should employment contracts also seek to curtail these disruptive habits?
Yours,
Bernard Ryan
Lecturer in Law
University of Kent
Canterbury
1 September
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments