Wal-Mart retail stores is ranked as one the largest grocery store and corporation in the world. The multinational corporation has its headquarters in the USA but has different operations in different countries in the world. It is estimated that Wal-Mart has employed more that 1.2 million workers making it the largest employer in the world (DeWitt, 2005). It has business operations in UK, India, Mexico, china, Argentina, Brazil, South Korea and Puerto Rico among other geographical locations (DeWitt, 2005). Although the company offers employment opportunities to a large number of people in the USA, it has been criticized for different ethical and moral issues. The corporation has been in and out of court several times because of court battles and injunctions. However, despite the numerous criticism and lawsuits the company has remained relevant in the market and as the largest employer in the world. The reasons why the company has remained competitive in the market has been its ability to use the pricing strategy and technology in its operations. The company believes in offering product and services in affordable prices. The adoption of modern technology has been part of its strategic plan aimed at cutting its costs and expenses.
Wall-Mart has strict policy regarding the use of drugs in the workplace and within its premises (Wal-Mart, 2008). The policy ensures that employees don’t use drug as and they can be screened for drugs before getting promotion and being employed. The company believes drug screening is important as it ensures that the workplace runs smoothly. As it is all known, drugs abuse can lead to work related problems that can cause safety problems in the workplace. However, Wal-Mart allows the use of alcohol during some company events only on the conditions that employees would jot consume a lot that may lead to unimpaired judgment of performance.
Utilitarian considerations requires actions be taken against a particular deed or mischief if the action is considered as the proper measure that would lead to happiness (Allhoff & Vaidya, 2005). Drug testing in workplace provokes the basic human rights of privacy in the workplace. However, the use of dugs’ is forbidden in the Wal-Mart workplace and its premises. The reason why drug testing is carried in a workplace is to increase employees work performance. Therefore testing for drugs in Wal-Mart is a means to an end as it helps in restraining some acts that may hinder the achievement of company goals. Some aspects like absenteeism and misconduct in the workplace are caused by the use of drugs. Drug testing also lowers the rate of absenteeism which may have a negative impact on the production level of the corporation. Therefore drug testing in the Wal-Mart acts as a prerequisite in getting job promotions. As noted in the ethics statement of Wal-Mart, the company may require an employee to submit drug testing results upon request if one becomes a suspect based on reasonable suspicion. This is in the conjunction with the law (Wal-Mart, 2008). Also, if an employee is suspected to be using drugs or under the influence, he/she may be requested to submit drug testing results as permitted by the law. The moral principle behind drug testing is to ensure the safety of all people in the workplace and foster a sense responsibility. This ensures that moral rightness of an act achieves the required happiness.
Wall-Mart carries out drug testing based on the requirement of the law. Wal-Mart beliefs in integrity in the workplace and uphold the rule of law in the workplace. Through drug testing the company is able to reduce the insurance costs and medical costs that may result from the use of drugs (Medvet, 2005). The company believes in consumer satisfaction and drug testing ensures that the workplace runs smoothly, managed properly with highly discipline levels. Lastly, the morale of employees are improved through drug testing since they are aware that they may lose their jobs if found to be under the influence of drugs.
Drug testing invades the privacy of people hence breaking the basic human right and principle. However, organizations have to do what is morally right for the great benefit of the people therefore maximizing their rights. The Maxim behind drug testing is to abide to the law and prohibit the use of drugs and drug abuse in the workplace. Although it is a violation of personal privacy, it is morally good as drug testing helps both the employee in Wal-Mart and the employer. For example, the drug employee may be saved from drug addiction and other negative impacts caused by the use of drugs generally not even in the workplace. On the other hand, it helps the employer increase their sales as well as reducing accidents in the workplace. If breaking basic human rights like violation of personal privacy will do a moral well then it is acceptable (Allhoff & Vaidya, 2005). Therefore, Wal-Mart has a moral obligation, a duty, and the right of carrying out drug testing on its employees although it violates their personal privacy.