So annoyed/pissed

[A10CalGal]

I went to the new job yesterday for all the pre-screen shit. OMG, not only did we do the whole 1.5" of hair drug test, but they did a full on physical. I had to fill out a health history, disclose all the medication I take, etc. I was feeling pretty violated. While doing this, I find out from the nurse attending to all this crap that not only does the company do pre-hire hair testing, but they do random drug testing as well. And the random doesn't just stop at piss, it's hair too!

 

Politically I am totally opposed to this kind of invasion of privacy unless someone is driving some kind of public transportation or working with explosives or heavy machinery that could kill other people. I sucked it up & dealt with this pre-screen stuff because I really wanted this job.

 

It would have been helpful in my decision making process to know that this company feels that it has the right to know what a fucking accountant is doing on her time off at any point during employment. Yes, I'm a former pot head, and yes, I smoke pot every once in a while. And honestly, even if I didn't ever do it again I would still feel this way. It's the principle to me. Why do I want to work for a company that starts off with an air of distrust & then continues that through out my career with them? It's none of their business what's in my hair.

 

Sure, if I'm acting like a retard & not doing my job, fine, drug test me. But just because you want to know if I've done ANYTHING that you disapprove of in the last 90 days, in my FREE TIME - I have serious issues with that premis.

 

I am pissed. I am pissed at my recruiter for not telling me all of this. I am pissed that such an awesome job (I thought) is going to make me compromise my beliefs & that I'm folding to the man just to make a goddamn living crunching numbers. AHHHHH!!!

 

Thanks for reading.

[Yari]

Wow, you are having a bad day too.

 

I agree with you on the drug test, I believe it is an invasion of privacy. Unfortunately a lot of great jobs require this. I remember when I got my first drug test for a "dream" job I was so angry because they didn't disclose it during the interview.

 

That is very weird that they do random drug test, perhaps if they suspect drug use. I wouldn't worry about it, but I definitely understand.

[Jessica]

Yikes. I've never had a job where random drug testing is involved. Sounds like a pain in the ass, especially since it's hair and pee. That sucks.

 

I haven't smoked pot in ages, but blah, I think people make to big a deal out of it. I could see if you were a coke head or something, but as long as you're not smoking pot on the job or coming in high to work, why shoud they care.

[boscobel]

I agree with Jessica. I don't smoke, but my FI does on a daily basis. Functioning pothead. (Now my bro on the other hand, can't do that cuz it leads to other things he has no control over). But I don't really believe in the random drug testing either, except if you work with heavy machinery. I am sorry you are having a bad day, Christa! (And Yari!)

[Chiquita]

Totally!! That sucks for you Hope the rest of the day goes better

[MikkiStreak]

Christa, play it by ear. Every company I've worked for does pre-screen testing, and random testing. And at every single place, they ALWAYS do the pre-screen, but they have NEVER done the random. Most companies broadcast that they do the random, but rarely do they actually exercise their "right" to do this because it's so costly to them.

 

I would say that during the 'prove yourself' phase, they might test---- but once you have proven yourself to them, they rarely do them because the managers don't want to lose someone they like/trust over something like that.

 

I agree with you on the political stance. I'm a former pothead and I would still love to get high on occasion. I'm thinking the reason they justify having the random tests is because of the meth/crack/coke heads of the world who get addicted, then can't support the habit and wind up stealing to pay for it. In an accounting position, this could put the company at risk to have someone like that in a position with knowledge of company finances that might entice them to embezzle to fund their habits.

 

On another subject---- Carly, keep an eye out for FI's health.... I have a brother who is a functional pothead and has been for 20 years. At the age of 42, he now has heart / lung from all the years of use, and about every 2 months or so, one of his lungs collapses (without provocation)--- all thanks to the ganja for 20 years.

[Christine]

Christa, I totally agree in many ways this is an invasion of your privacy (in fact my students usually bring this up at some point in the year and we discuss it). Unfortunately for certain jobs people have to suck it up. You know what is weird, teachers don't get tested at all...I have never done drugs and wouldn't have a problem, I doubt a lot of teachers would have a problem, but I think they don't do it because they know we would violently protest it as a violation of our privacy...one thing I do tell my kids to play devil's advocate, privacy is not mentioned explicitly in the constitution. Its an assumed right, because the Supreme Court has ruled using it in the past.

[A10CalGal]

OK, so this is so funny, I just made another post about my DH & this morning because when I composed this post earlier it didn't post. I was like DAMMIT! I typed all that & now it's gone. So, forgive my repetition.

 

And, regarding the random testing...I've administered these programs before, and for it to be legal, it really has to be random. Which basically means a computer program picks a name out of the hat every month (or whatever the frequency is), and that's just it. the program has to cover all employees & be equally applied for it to be legal.

 

I would have liked to have this info before going thru this whole process with the company & accepting the job. I mean, I really have issues with working for a company that does this. I have no problem if they do "reasonable suspicion" testing, but random on admin people? LAME!

[boscobel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikkiStreak On another subject---- Carly, keep an eye out for FI's health.... I have a brother who is a functional pothead and has been for 20 years. At the age of 42, he now has heart / lung from all the years of use, and about every 2 months or so, one of his lungs collapses (without provocation)--- all thanks to the ganja for 20 years.

Holy crap, Maria! You just scared the crap outta me. I know it's bad for him, but I am more concerned about him quitting smoking cigarettes. He has until the wedding for that (we both agreed, cuz he wants to quit too). I just didn't care so much about the pot, cuz it's one hit as opposed to an entire cigarette. I don't want to be too controlling. He is alraedy complaining that I am cracking the whip cuz we are actually starting to PLAN the damn wedding! hahahahahaaa.

[trisha0612]

Tomorrow is another day..thank god!!! Hope your day gets better....if not, it HAS to get better tomorrow!

 

As for the random drug testing....unless your high at work, or on meth, or some other crazy drug..WHO CARES I know people who act much more normal high and some who act like idiots drunk! I just happen to be the opposite...