A friend works for a government organisation who has a regular drug testing regime. A condition of employment is that employees submit to random drug tests. The organisation has recently moved from urine testing to hair follicle examinations. Unfortunately, my friend suffers with alopecia. She has provided evidence to the CMO of the organisation in relation to the alopecia and requested an exemption from the hair test, but was more than happy to continue to provide urine tests. She also offered to submit to hair testing if there was ever a specific allegation directed at her, but requested that the hair testing only be done when absolutely required. The exemption was granted. A few weeks later, the section of the organsation who runs the testing stated that the exemption had been overruled and should not have been granted. Is there any course of action that can be taken?
Most likely. Your friend should speak to a lawyer if this is a serious issue for her.
The lawyer will look at the medical evidence, relevant government employment contract, policies and grievance procedures.
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