Pre-employment screening

[littlecaitling]

So the other day I had an interview that went really well, I was almost guaranteed the job. I was so happy that I went home and hit the bowl all night to celebrate :hippy: . Then I woke up and contemplated the possibility of a pre-employment drug screen. I've never worked a job that required me to take a drug test, in fact I've never taken one at all before. But I've also only ever worked for small businesses or the college I went to; this is the first time I'm trying to work for a bigger institution (a university). I read over the application and anything I would have signed to see if there was any mention of a drug screen, but there was nothing. I checked the policies of the institution on their website, and it made no mention of drug testing, pre-employment or otherwise.

Now I'm abstaining for a bit starting today just in case, but what are the chances that I will be tested before they hire me? The interviewer indicated that they would want me to start sometime this week, so I'd assume that if I were going to be tested, it would be within the next few days. But the pre-employment screens I've read about seem to happen on the day of the interview. If they were going to test me at all would it have been at the interview, or does the procedure vary among companies? Also, if it makes a difference, the position I interviewed for is a part-time, temp thing that may turn into a permanent 40h/wk deal. Do you think they might not waste the time/money on testing a temp, and save the drug screen for when I become full time and eligible for health insurance?

Finally, do they have to give me any advanced notice that they're giving me a test, or can they call me into work and when I get there say "oh btw piss in this cup"? Again, there was no mention of drug testing of any kind in the application, in the employment policy manual of the institution, in the job posting, or during the interview itself.

I'm sorry for all the basic questions, but I don't have any experience with drug testing whatsoever and I just want to be aware of my rights in this situation and know what to expect in the coming week. Thanks in advance!

littlecaitling Reviewed by littlecaitling on 03-08-2009. Pre-employment screening So the other day I had an interview that went really well, I was almost guaranteed the job. I was so happy that I went home and hit the bowl all night to celebrate :hippy: . Then I woke up and contemplated the possibility of a pre-employment drug screen. I've never worked a job that required me to take a drug test, in fact I've never taken one at all before. But I've also only ever worked for small businesses or the college I went to; this is the first time I'm trying to work for a bigger Rating: 5

[Burnt Toast]

Under the Drug Free Workplace Act, employers must give you notice and the donor must sign, giving authorization. Such notices are stated on the job application and by signing the application, youve automatically given authorization to the employer to drug test you.

Also, employers who have a drug-free workplace program in place are required by the Act to post signs in their establishment stating that they are participating in the DFWP program.



If you didnt see anything about drug testing on your app, and/or you didnt see any signs that say "We are proud to be a drug-free workplace", or the like, then you very likely wont be tested.

[littlecaitling]

Thanks for your help! I pulled up the policy handbook and an app for the same position I applied to (it was an online app). From reading the policy handbook this institution seems to focus on voluntary confidential rehab and treatment for their employees, and doesn't explicitly mention anything about testing. I found a mention of a Drug Free Workplace in the policy handbook, but all that was included in that section is the following (keep in mind that while I'm not sure if the team I would be working with is working under federal grants, I'm going to work under the assumption that it is):

The federal government requires that each employee directly engaged in the performance of work under a federal grant or contract must (a) be provided with a copy of a statement describing the employer's policy; and (b) be notified that, as a condition of employment on that grant or contract, the employee will abide by the terms of the policy and will notify the employer if he or she is convicted of any criminal drug statute violation in the workplace, no later than five days after such a conviction. All individuals subject to the federal requirements should report to their employer any conviction, and the employer, in turn, is required to notify the awarding federal agencies of any convictions.

The app made no mention of the act or any pre-employment testing, but it did say the standard "I agree to abide by the Institute's policies, rules, and procedures and any changes hereto" line that prompted me to check into the policies of the institution further. The app also included this line:

I also authorize the Institute to conduct any other background checks or investigations, which it deems appropriate and understand that I may be required to complete separate authorization forms for such checks or investigations....I understand that employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of various background checks, investigations or examinations and my compliance with other employment requirements, such as proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

I didn't notice any dfwp signs, but it's a huge campus and I wasn't really looking for them.

So did I technically authorize a drug screen, and should I expect to be given one in the near future? With or without any notice? All this legal speak makes my head spin! I just want to know when I can indulge again :jointsmile:. Thanks for being so patient with all of my questions.