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HairTestsSuck

Greetings to all of the kind people that take their time to view this board.

I have been researching this board and many other sites online to try to find some answers and everyone's input is so helpful. I have a fabulous job offer that requires a pre-employment hair test in 1 week. I have been out of work since i graduated from college in May, and abstained for so long, but was really depressed about bills and not having a job, and had fun for a week or so. LOTS OF FUN with green that will cause me to miserably fail a hair test in a week. That was a few weeks ago. Since then i have been completely free toxins. The only thing i am worried about is THC, i won't do anything else.

I found, this website http://www.testclear.com/dtcompanies/searchcompany2.cfm (it is helpful)

This gave me a heads up that the company would be drug testing using a hair test, i know i can pass a urine test at this point, and am preparing just in case. One of the posters for the company said they oonly submits HALF to 60% of the hair samples to really be tested due to the cost involved. HAS ANYONE EVER HEARD OF THIS AS A POSSIBLITY?? If they have to pay for the test most of the companies I researched include the testing in the fee for the test, so does that make any sense? Would they just tell me my sample was negative if they didn't send it in? I want to do everything i can to increase my chances, if the 50% if accurate, i really do not want to risk failing. I have been poor all my life and this is finally a chance to have a better life in a job i deserately need. I have no income at the moment so i can't go buy the shampoos, which most of you don't think work anyway.

I can get the aloe rid from my friend at a salon. I trimmed my hair to about an inch because that was the style anyway in the back, but there are longer parts near the front of my head. I'm a girl, not a butch one so i can go any shorter or it would be noticeable. Would they take those longer parts above?

Also, the testclear site lists the companies that drug test, and the people who replied and posted that the company i want a job with test were from 1999. Is there a chance that they no longer test hair, and test urine? The interviewer said they drug test, but he wasn't sure if i would be because it was non-management, only supervisory. Are they any other sites that give more information on companies policies towards testing and what types of testing are involved?

I have been soaking my hair in anything around the house so far. What type of vinegar is recommended? I only have red wine vinegar? Does that matter? Shampoos for hard water, foaming face wash (similar to the Clean and Clear theory) I even tried Murphy's Oil Soap because i read that THC metabolites are oil based and it was in my cabnet and doesn't hurt wood floors so it woldn't hurt my hair in theory! lol It at least made me feeel better, like i did something!

Any responses are greatly appreciated. I do not agree with drug testing but understand the reasons behind it.

Is there any way to talk your way out of it? By saying you did it once and that was it? That it was stupid and you realize it was a mistake and are truly sorry? I honestly was just trying to go back to THC because i quit smoking cigarettes (which is really difficult and i am back with). Which is better, completely denying ever touching anything or saying it was a stupid mistake? Any chances with either?

I did have roommate who smoked all day every day and i kicked him out, would that work? I mean my apartment is small and he had friends over smoking all the time which led to him being kicked out by me.


Anyway, iIm just hoping you guys have ANY information to help calm my nerves. Thank you for taking the time to read this.


I know i will defintely post the results it help others out.


~HairTestSuck

 

Ragdoll

Hey HTS, I'm going to reply to a few of your points, and I'm sure other good folks will too...

* Testing only a partial sample of applicants - Sorry HTS, wishful, wishful thinking! It would open the company up to possible discrimination suits and all kinds of other HR problems. It's a pretty safe bet that if the company tested in '99, they're testing now. It appears to be more prevalent, not less. And the cost is not the big consideration - they probably get a big discount from the lab providing the service.

* You bet they will be interested in the longer parts of your hairstyle; they don't care if they ruin a cute cut. Their interest is in getting history, and the longer the sample, the more history they have! Consider a shorter look; makeup and jewelry can offset any "butch" ideas! Confess to a "hair color gone wrong"!

* It's a pretty safe bet that if you're supervising others you will be tested.

* The MacCujo method posted here seems to have a lot of happy outcomes... it would get my vote.

* "I do not agree with drug testing but understand the reasons behind it." Well, I can debate that one - I think the reasons behind it are primarily economic and extremely questionable.

* DO NOT (sorry for shouting) try to talk your way out of it or use the boomer "I tried it once" technique. You will definitely take yourself out of the running and have your application noted accordingly. And HR folks job hop too - you'd hate to run into someone at another company to whom you made a "confession" of this type. ALWAYS DENY. And weird as it sounds, I have known co-workers who have caught plenty of crap over their tobacco habit too! You know, the half-joking "oh, I wouldn't have hired you if I'd known you were a smoker...!".

Sorry to be so longwinded... I think you should go pick up your test-form from the HR staff and see what test they've marked. If it's urine, hooray! Sounds like you'll be OK. If it's hair, go see your friend at the salon & get those longer strands clipped. That way you won't ruin your style and then find out it's just a pee test!

Best of luck and let us know what you decide and how it turns out!

HairTestsSuck

Ragdoll,

Thanks so much for your prompt reply and useful information. Not the hopeful information i would like to hear of course, but that was expected. I needed a little dose of reality. You seem very knowledgable on the topic.

My friend at the salon said she would color my hair with the salon chemicals to make it look cute, and that the chemicals strip the hair. I know on this board it seems to get mixed reactions, some people say color color color, ithers say it means nothing. I figure it can't hurt. My one issue with the colorign is that after it is done i can't really do horrible things to my hair or i may end up with green hair. There was that one study i read in another post about hydrogen peroxide decreasing levels but it wasn't sure how effectively it would decrease them.

I'm trying the MacCujo method as much as possible before getting the coloring this weekend. Good advice

Does it really matter than i smoke cigarettes again? Darnit, that is ridiculous!

I just think it is ridiculous because to teach kids you don't need a drug test, but to work in retail you do? Does that make any sense? That was why i didn't plan on this.

Anyway, I am so thankful that this board exists to help relieve anxiety in so many people. Keep the good advice coming people. It is HUGELY apprecaited!

Ragdoll

Thanks for the kinds words, HTS! Yeah, I have a fair amount of experience on the employer side - I hope I can use it to help some folks out here...

You sound like you've got a good plan to handle this situation. I'm really hopeful for you, so be sure to post the results! And I agree with you totally, isn't it absurd that work in retail requires a drug test? But hey, let's face it, we know most employers value the money and the merch far more than people, who are, after all, expendable!

Sending good thoughts your way...