THE EFFECTS OF DRUG-TESTING PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS ON APPLICANTS ATTITUDES TOWARD POTENTIAL EMPLOYMENT

This study is an investigation of the effects of a mandatory versus pr obable-cause drug-testing program and the level of restrictiveness of confidentiality policy on potential applicants' attitudes and intentio ns to apply for employment in an organization. One hundred fifty-six A merican students were randomly assigned to four experimental groups co nforming to a 2 x 2 analysis of variance design: Type of Program (mand atory versus probable cause) x Level of Confidentiality (low versus hi gh). A less restrictive confidentiality policy was associated with low er intentions to apply for employment relative to a more restrictive c onfidentiality policy. There were no perceived main or interactive eff ects involving a drug-testing program. Perceived procedural fairness p artially mediated the effects of confidentiality on application intent ions, and, in turn, an applicant's attitude toward the organization co mpletely mediated the effects of perceived procedural fairness. These findings showed that procedural variables may be important determinant s of applicant responses toward potential employers that maintain drug -testing programs.