it's an after-school special kinda thing

[afuna]

Attending a government-mandated drug abuse seminar.

I feel like I should take this seriously, but I can't get past the ominous background music to focus on the message.

===

Ah, and suddenly background music turns inspiring. We're in the section of the video where we talk about God's supernatural healing power. I'm not sure why I'm surprised at the sudden turn but I am.

I am twitchy because it's the *government* pushing religion, not just some random private institution. I'm used to moral and religious lessons in videos (catholic schoolgirl for 13 years!), but I always half-expect better from the government. Despite all the evidence, I tend to forget we don't actually have any formal separation of church and state here.

On the other hand! One thing I've been excited about is that the Department of Health recently stood up against the church, and is continuing its program to give out condoms and to educate people properly about AIDS. But that is getting off topic (I just needed to wave a tiny *go brave public officials* flag for a moment)

Comments

[afuna]

I wonder if I misunderstood? Apparently the government mandates a drug-free workplace, so you can't keep hired anyone who you know is abusing drugs. But I can't tell if the seminar itself was government-mandated, or if it was what our company did in order to make itself compliant with the law.

*headtilt* I'm not sure how much that difference counts though?

[pauamma]

Hmm, it kinda counts? (By which I mean, yes, the difference is relevant, but government mandating of a drug-free workplace is IMO asking the wrong question. if Alice uses drugs that don't impair her work performance or put others at risk, why should it matter? And if Bob has poor work performance, does it matter whether it's because of drug use, lack of motivation, poor work ethic, or just inability to master the skills involved?)

[afuna]

IOW, it should be the workplace doing the deciding on whether to keep the employee or not, and not some government entity? :-)

[pauamma]

whether and why, yes.

[afuna]

*nods thoughtfully*

Is that how it is where you are, or is that just how you think things should be? (Trying to get a feel for how life is in other places)

[pauamma]

It's how I think they should be. It's also kinda how they are here: labor laws here are very restrictive about acceptable reasons for firing or laying off someone (no equivalent of employment at will), but I believe drugs possession (even for soft drugs or in amounts small enough to indicate personal use only) can still get you arrested, which might cost you your job even if you aren't charged.