Drug Testing for Work

Bragi

Is it common in the UK to have to do drug screening before getting a job? I'm talking about jobs like working in a cafe or music store or something, just part-time.

Not for part time work (so long as it's not a position of real responsibility). However, some firms spot test all employees... Regardless of whether you are part time or not.

Reply 2

sanguiniusmmiv

The majority of the companies like those you suggest do not carry out any form of drug testing on their employees. They are, however, likely to have some form of provision written into your contract or terms of employment allowing them to require you to be tested if they suspect that you have at any time been working under the influence of illegal substances.

Reply 3

Chubb

2

The only ones that I know of are things like pilot. You arn't getting worried are you? :tongue:

Reply 4

Chubb

The only ones that I know of are things like pilot. You arn't getting worried are you? :tongue:

Most City employees drug screen, as do the major pharmaceuticals - I had a screen for my intern year with GlaxoWellcome.

Reply 5

Vladek

The people i work for do a pre-employment medical, blood and urine samples etc and also random drug testing, i could walk into work one day, be taken aside and tested for drugs or alcohol. Which is fine for my job, but if i just worked in an office i'd be a bit miffed as to why it was needed.

Its nothing to be worried abou, well unless you're a drug then your buggered :biggrin:

Reply 6

visesh

17

Would they really care if you had modest amounts of THC in your system? :confused:

Reply 7

frost105

14

visesh

Would they really care if you had modest amounts of THC in your system? :confused:

Ummmm YES!

Reply 8

Vladek

visesh

Would they really care if you had modest amounts of THC in your system? :confused:

they'd kick you out so fast you'd not hit the ground :tongue:

You know they can tell if you've smoked dope over 3 months ago, just take a hair sample. By the way you do have to agree to the tests, but if you fail to give a test you probably won't be employed.

If you are employed some companys will tell you to go to a drugs counciling group or to leave.

Reply 9

my work tried to make me give a urine sample to see if i had kidney disease

i said er no thanks and she said "BUT ARENT YOU CONCERNED ABOUT PROTEIN IN YOUR WATER?!?!"

i was juts like - no

Reply 10

Vladek

crana

my work tried to make me give a urine sample to see if i had kidney disease

i said er no thanks and she said "BUT ARENT YOU CONCERNED ABOUT PROTEIN IN YOUR WATER?!?!"

i was juts like - no

Why didn't you do it, they can't test for drugs there and then legally without your consent, they have to send it off sealed to a lab, needs signitures on various forms.

You might have kidney problems and you won't know now :tongue:

Reply 11

well, i have no symptoms of kidney disease, and im not old or have any other particular factors i know of that make you a high risk for kidney disease...

there's not much point in having random tests for diseases you are very unlikely to have

Reply 12

Vladek

they'd kick you out so fast you'd not hit the ground :tongue:

You know they can tell if you've smoked dope over 3 months ago, just take a hair sample. By the way you do have to agree to the tests, but if you fail to give a test you probably won't be employed.

If you are employed some companys will tell you to go to a drugs counciling group or to leave.

They can tell with 100% acuracy for dope smoked nearly 12 months ago now!

Reply 13

CKS2

Fluffy

They can tell with 100% acuracy for dope smoked nearly 12 months ago now!

Is it exactly 12 months? I am smoking dope at the moment, and am applying for a city job in about a year so i must know!

Reply 14

CKS2

Is it exactly 12 months? I am smoking dope at the moment, and am applying for a city job in about a year so i must know!

Give or take, yes. It also depends on the lenght of your hair.

Reply 15

CKS2

Fluffy

Give or take, yes. It also depends on the lenght of your hair.

??

Reply 16

sashh

Fluffy

Give or take, yes. It also depends on the lenght of your hair.

True story:

A student who was also on the British Olympic team - not the recent ones, the ones in Atlanta - went to a party.

She had one mouthful of cake, thought it tasted funny and left the rest. She tested possitive for canabis 3 months later. Fortunatly at the time (not sure now) canabis wasn't a problem because it is not performance inhancing and therefore disregarded by the AAA.

Don't quote me but I think long hair can show traces for up to 2 years. And can also show traces if you have inhaled a small amount, ie been next to someone smoking.

I'd worry if I worked in a place that did random drugs testing. I'm on a lot of prescription medication. Some of it could be bought over the counter but most of it couldn't and I don't see what it's got to do with my employer as long as it isn't affecting my job. And even if it is .......... well does that come under disability legislation?

Reply 17

CKS2

??

well duh if you shave your hair off, there won't be any for them to test will there...

Reply 18