jmp1981

I was just informed that random drug testing is going to start this month for employees. I am a heavy smoker and I want to pass the test. That is until I find another job with no testing! Any help for random tests?!?

trade04

either a) abstain B) always have a sub ready c) quit lol

Sec

Don't panic. Just because a company announces (usually in a safety meeting) that it is going to begin random drug testing doesn't mean that they will test YOU tomorrow.

1. Sometimes a company makes this type of announcement to give those who DO indulge a chance to get clean.

2. Sometimes a company starts random testing (usually 20% of all employees tested yearly spread out evenly over 12 months or 4 quarters) without testing everyone first.

3. Sometimes a company tests ALL employees in one fell swoop, then begins random draws for testing the next month.

If your company has opted for choice #1 or #2, you shouldn't worry. If your company has 50 employees for example, there would only be one selected for testing per month. The idea behind this type of testing is that the one person tested will start talking and before you know it, everyone is thinking that they are next. Everyone either cuts way down on usage or stops altogether. Chances of you being the first one drawn are only 1 in 50. I know the possibility is there, but the odds are with you.

If your company has opted for choice #3, Stop smoking now, and be ready with either a substitution or dilution.


Sorry, I had to add this:
SOMETIMES, a company says they will begin random testing only so they can choose the person to be tested. A sort of trap. Our company will not participate in this type of deception, but we run across it quite frequently.

A supervisor or owner suspects an employee of using, then announces a "random drug testing program". There is really no "random" program. The owner then notifies the suspected employee for testing, telling him/her that he/she has been selected by random, when really, it has been predetermined for reasonable cause or suspicion.

This is totally unethical in my opinion. Also, it is against regulation for DOT tests. If an employer suspects an employee of anything, the employer should be adult enough to confront the employee directly without using a smokescreen.