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February, 2025

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Types of preemployment drug testing/disclosure

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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
Not asking how to beat the test. If it matters, I go to school in PA, and am pursuing a job in MI. I was told (by HR) I would have to pass a urine test for the job I am seeking. I believe I saw this somewhere else, but I can't find it now. I got some paperwork today, and one of them was an authorization for a hair test. Do employers need to disclose the type of test? Furthermore, should I expect both? I'm expecting a call (currently playing phone tag) tomorrow, so I am going to ask and tell her that I was confused about the paperwork and safely ask which one it is. Has anyone else dealt with this before?
11 years ago
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b-kul
Posts: 4350 - Karma: 1,111
jeeze, its like every day lately.
11 years ago
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uyghur
Posts: 993 - Karma: 2,028
If you signed paperwork on a hair test, you should expect a hair test.
11 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
uyghurIf you signed paperwork on a hair test, you should expect a hair test.


Haven't signed it yet. Was told urine test, found the message from HR that explicitly says urine test (blanket new employee email). I think my best bet is to just ask if a mistake was made, which likely could be the case. I don't see why they would tell me one when they want the other, especially when I have to sign off on the explicit test either way.
11 years ago
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,683
If the drug test is a big deal, maybe it would be mutually agreeable to find another employer?
11 years ago
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Wampire
Posts: 1217 - Karma: 4,685
dude just shave your head and eyebrows and your good!
11 years ago
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
yeah I would not bother asking. worst case you take whatever test they give and fail, no job. best case you do pass whatever test it is. why act all sketchy about it?

anyway this is why you should have really stopped. I know it's probably not what you wanna hear but damn this comes up a bunch here. and I know it sucks but it's worth it to get that job.

plus it's nice when they mention testing and you can safely say it is not a problem without even skipping a beat.
11 years ago
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,509
Well if you don't take it now your fucked, so don't do drugs.
11 years ago
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Funkadelic
Posts: 1967 - Karma: 391
If you ask about it that's as good as failing. Just don't smoke between now and then, take whatever test they give you, and if you fail you fail.
11 years ago
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
cobra_commanderIf the drug test is a big deal, maybe it would be mutually agreeable to find another employer?


Or don't do drugs.
11 years ago
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Mr.LemonPie
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 1,625
Caucasian_AsianOr don't do drugs.


Yeah cus that's realistic.
11 years ago
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,509
Matt_DYeah cus that's realistic.


yeah if your applying for jobs don't do drugs for a month it's not hard.
11 years ago
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,492
I don't get why this is a problem for people. As soon as you know you are going to be applying for jobs, just stop doing all drugs. It's really not that hard to do and then there is no worrying or trying to beat a test.

Also, if I was an employer and an applicant called me and asked what kind of drug test they are going to administer, i'd immediately be sketched out by them. That basically just tells them you do drugs and you are trying to figure out what kind of test you need to try and beat.
11 years ago
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-benedetto
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 1,359
I have a buddy who just became a trooper and he's bald so he shaves his head so they took leg hair. Quitting bud is not so hard. I recently quit so I can be ready for a test. It's all in your head. It's not so bad. The mental clarity and being able to talk more in public instead of being stoned in class is a great reward..you don't need bud to enjoy everything. Hiking is still fun, so was skiing, watching movies, etc
11 years ago
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
zzzskizzzyeah if your applying for jobs don't do drugs for a month it's not hard.


If they insist on a hair test, it can be detected anywhere from 1-12 months, depending on how long your hair is (and where they take it from).
11 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
zzzskizzzyeah if your applying for jobs don't do drugs for a month it's not hard.


.Hugo.I don't get why this is a problem for people. As soon as you know you are going to be applying for jobs, just stop doing all drugs. It's really not that hard to do and then there is no worrying or trying to beat a test.

Also, if I was an employer and an applicant called me and asked what kind of drug test they are going to administer, i'd immediately be sketched out by them. That basically just tells them you do drugs and you are trying to figure out what kind of test you need to try and beat.


-benedettoI have a buddy who just became a trooper and he's bald so he shaves his head so they took leg hair. Quitting bud is not so hard. I recently quit so I can be ready for a test. It's all in your head. It's not so bad. The mental clarity and being able to talk more in public instead of being stoned in class is a great reward..you don't need bud to enjoy everything. Hiking is still fun, so was skiing, watching movies, etc


To clarify, quitting is not the issue. I haven't done anything since even hearing anyone mention a test. I have maybe smoked 4-5 times since St. Patty's day for reference (before then is another story). I was told a urine test originally, the contract I was mailed and ma bout to sign says urine test, and then a release form for a testing company said hair test. Hopefully this clarifies my confusion/frustration with the process.
11 years ago
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,639
In the end you're 100% at the mercy of the employer. Every law written surrounding drug testing is in favor of the employer. There is no real case of "you need to tell me ahead of time," you'll never win.

The best you can do is just take whatever they give you and hope you pass.
11 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
Just called because I have to sign some of the forms, and asked about the discrepancy. She said usually they hair test for full time and urine test for part time, and that she grabbed the wrong form by mistake.
11 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52266 - Karma: 169,965
Shave/wax errrthang.


Then when you go in for the test be like fuck yo couch BIATCH


I don't see anyway this could go wrong.
11 years ago
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
Is it even legal??
11 years ago
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
I've always wondered what happens if you fail the test. Does that stay with you? Or can they not disclose that?
11 years ago
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Lé.Skiing
Posts: 10035 - Karma: 8,128
as long as you quit 3 days before had you should be good to get a urine mask and there are shampoos you can get to clean your hair follicles. get both to be safe. chance is it may not work but I mean if you follow the instructions and don't have cranberry juice. the day of the test should be good. I've passed many drug tests in my time. By far though the best method is to quit all together while looking for work.
11 years ago
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,145
DiabeetoI've always wondered what happens if you fail the test. Does that stay with you? Or can they not disclose that?


Yes, it stays with you. On almost every job application there is a box that asks if you have been fired. There is another box that asks if you have ever failed a drug test. Failing a drug test is very bad. Lying about failing a drug test is even worse. At some point you have to grow up and accept that if you want a real job in the real world you have to play by the real rules.
11 years ago
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,639
DiabeetoI've always wondered what happens if you fail the test. Does that stay with you? Or can they not disclose that?


I've read a little bit on it and there's a ton of legal jargon surrounding it. The general message is no, it doesn't stay with you. It's a medical record, so there is a level of confidentiality you're owed as a right. The testing center does, however, maintain these records. So in the case of litigation or any involved case, the results can be recovered.

Companies can call up previous drug reports, but it has to have good reason for them to share it, and it can't just be a manager requesting it. It has to be a company level subpoena. Also, it looks bad for a company to request potential employee medical records unless they have a damn good reason.

In the case of unemployment collection though, you're again at the mercy of the employer which - in this case - is the government. So if you want to stay on welfare, your records are pretty much general knowledge for anyone working in the welfare department.
11 years ago
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,639
iFlipYes, it stays with you. On almost every job application there is a box that asks if you have been fired. There is another box that asks if you have ever failed a drug test. Failing a drug test is very bad. Lying about failing a drug test is even worse. At some point you have to grow up and accept that if you want a real job in the real world you have to play by the real rules.


I've never seen the "have you failed a drug test" box on applications before, but I don't doubt it's regular practice. There's only so much the company can do to prove you've failed without jumping through some hoops.


However....don't' underestimate the six degrees of separation. Unless you're jumping in-between states, there will always be someone who knows someone else. Failing drug tests, like iFlip said, is very bad. Don't become notorious. People remember.
11 years ago
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
CaptainDickbuttI've never seen the "have you failed a drug test" box on applications before, but I don't doubt it's regular practice. There's only so much the company can do to prove you've failed without jumping through some hoops.


However....don't' underestimate the six degrees of separation. Unless you're jumping in-between states, there will always be someone who knows someone else. Failing drug tests, like iFlip said, is very bad. Don't become notorious. People remember.


Okay I have done a BUNCH of job applications in the past year and have never seen a "have you failed" question before. If anything it just mentions that yes, you will have to take one if the job you are working requires.

And honestly, straight up, engineering (my field) have all said yes we can/ may test you but don't seem to end up doing it. Now of course like I said before they can and I'm not worried about it, but all I'm saying is depending on your field and the work type it may not be a priority. STILL THOUGH, if you're all set to do well having some test holding you back is really, really atrociously dumb. Just stop! Please!!!!
11 years ago
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,639
MicrocosmAnd honestly, straight up, engineering (my field) have all said yes we can/ may test you but don't seem to end up doing it.


This is pretty much every company/industry. As long as your work is quality, they'd just rather not know what you're doing on your own time.

But when you start coming to work visibly high or your work quality goes down the drain? Bam, they have the right to test you.
11 years ago
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chacha33
Posts: 959 - Karma: 4,164
Thats why I only snort the purest of cocaine. If I'm getting caught Im going out with a bang
11 years ago
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