Is it true that in America to get a job you need to pass a drug test?

Question

Do they really do this for all jobs or just some jobs? Do they have random testing after you get a job? Don't Americans feel this is a violation of their rights as individuals? What happens if you fail, do you get in legal trouble?

Answer 1

In order to get the job I currently have I had to pass a pre employment drug test and yes they do random drug testing. If I failed a random test I would lose my job but no I would not get into legal trouble.
I do not feel it is a violation of my right because I do not do drugs or drink so it does not affect me in any way. It actualy benefits me because I will no have to work with people under the influance of drugs. Just the other day a man died in a oil field accident where everyone on the pulling unit was on drugs. Had they not been under the influance and able to function at 100%, that man might still be alive today. I would rather not take any chances, would you.

Answer 2

Most employers in the US have a drug test at the initial hiring processes (urine only, not blood). After that it's pretty rare for a company to have random testing later on, unless you have a history of drug problems or are performing a job that involves a lot of machinery or high risk/stress environment (so that drugs can really impair your ability to do the job and the safety of everyone involved). It's not really that big of a deal. I don't think it's an invasion of personal rights because drug testing is done willingly, and because, like any human freedom there is nothing absolute. The right to put whatever substances you want in your body should be limited when it comes to the safety of others and I think employers have every right to want to avoid a drug user because they are less productive and more dangerous. If you fail a drug test, you shouldn't get into legal trouble because almost all independent testing is confidential between you, the doctors and your employer. I believe, however, that legal repurcussions can be made if you endanger someone's life while you are on the job and test positive for drugs.

Answer 3

Just for some jobs. Some companies have random testing after your hired and some don't. I don't feel its against the rights of individuals. People who are addicted to harder drugs are more likely to steal from you to support their habit and obviously this is unacceptable to the employer. If you fail the test you will not be hired. I've never heard of anyone getting into legal trouble because of failing a drug test.

Answer 4

Many jobs in the U.S. require a drug test when you are hired. I have had a lot of jobs that claimed they did random drug testing, but I've never known anyone who was randomly drug tested at a job except people in the military. If you fail a drug test at work, I don't think you get in legal trouble, the job isn't going to go to the trouble of calling the police and risking a lawsuit. I don't think most people see it as a violation of their rights, the company is paying them to do a job to the best of their ability and being high could impair their ability to do that (not to mention the safety concerns). Of course, I don't think they drug test in higher-paying jobs which require more education as much as they do in low-paying jobs...

Answer 5

Not all jobs require a drug test. The insurance co. that provides workman' compensation are the ones that request them and offer lower rates to companies that require them.

I used to feel my rights were being violated when I was a pothead. Now I don't care one way or the othe rbecause I don't do drugs.

If you fail, you won't get in legal trouble. But if you get hurt on the job, You will probably get fired and workers' comp. will be denied so you'll have to pay your own medical bills

Answer 6

Yup. I find it quite judgemental and irrelevant to the job. Why should I have to take a drug test if I'm ringing up groceries! It'll be wrose If i was drunk versus high. Scientists did a study and concluded marijuana barely effects the brain. It moreso effects the lungs- but look at the affects of alcohol! I dont see th epooint. I thikn they should be more harsh depending on the drug. Weed, not so much. Coke and meth, then yes,b/c people will act more irresponsible if they are under the influence of this. And what about caffiene? That will make people act really different. But of couse someone is going to say I'm wrong, and preach about the dangers of weed. Please, America with that mentality needs to get herself laid. Shes an uptighe Christian girl, while her sisters, Canada and Europe are having all of the fun.

Answer 7

I don't drug test in my business. I don't care what they do on their own time but if I can tell they are on drugs while they are at work in my business, they no longer have a job. As for it being a violation of their rights, no. They don't have to work for the place in which they are applying. If they really want the job then they have to play by the rules of that company. It's common sense. Would you mind if you get your arm cut off because of some idiot is on drugs and causes an accident that got your arm cut off?

Answer 8

Unless you're in Congress you have to pass a drug test to clean toilets ! The only drug that is easily detected is pot ! So hard drug users just have to be off the stuff for a few hours to a few days to pass. A pot smoker can test positive for several weeks or months,because pot tends to linger in the fatty tissues. The effects don't last that long,just the detectable amounts. It's not fair ! Crack heads and speed freaks slip through ! Pot heads have a hard time finding work.

Answer 9

This is the common practice unless you work in say...fast food or something where they do not want to pay for the testing for all the employees. Companies do not want people working for them that are high, often unreliable and a safety hazard in the work palce.
I have been randomly tested at work as well when the name comes up in the computer system.

Answer 10

Different jobs require different types of tests. Some jobs don't require any tests. It depends on the company policy. No one is forcing you to take that job, so testing isnt a violation of rights.