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Journal of Business and Psychology

Published in:

01-06-2013

Reactions to Employer Policies Regarding Prescription Drugs and Medical Marijuana: The Role of Safety Sensitivity

Authors: Donald M. Truxillo, David M. Cadiz, Talya N. Bauer, Berrin Erdogan

Published in: Journal of Business and Psychology | Issue 2/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

Given the prevalence of drugs in the lives of many workers, employers often face difficult decisions about how to reconcile their drug use policies with employees’ health needs. This is compounded by laws in 17 U.S. states and the District of Columbia that now legalize medical marijuana and that are in direct conflict with federal drug-free workplace laws. The purpose of the present studies was to examine employee attitudes toward workplace policies regarding prescription drugs and medical marijuana.

Design/Methodology/Approach

We conducted two experimental studies (students with work experience and nurses) to examine employee attitudes about policies ranging from a drug-free workplace to accommodation of prescription drugs and medical marijuana.

Findings

The perceived safety sensitivity of jobs moderated the perceived fairness of workplace drug policies. Employees who perceived their jobs as low in safety sensitivity reported more favorable reactions to policies allowing prescription drugs than policies allowing medical marijuana. In contrast, employees in high safety-sensitive jobs did not differentiate between the two drugs, reacting equally negatively to policies accommodating either drug. Nurses rated organizations with drug-free policies as most attractive.

Originality/Value

These are the first studies to examine employee attitudes toward workplace policies regarding medical marijuana and prescription drugs, integrating perceived safety sensitivity as a key moderator to better understand these attitudes.

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Title: Reactions to Employer Policies Regarding Prescription Drugs and Medical Marijuana: The Role of Safety Sensitivity
Authors: Donald M. Truxillo
David M. Cadiz
Talya N. Bauer
Berrin Erdogan
Publication date: 01-06-2013
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Business and Psychology / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 0889-3268
Electronic ISSN: 1573-353X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-012-9276-3

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Abstract

Purpose

Design/Methodology/Approach

Findings

Originality/Value

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