How to avoid being sacked

[fasimew]

Purely hypothetical (yeah yeah)... Let's say that were to have a suprise drugs and alcohol test at work. Knowing that this may mean the end of your employment, what excuse would HR accept in order to avoid or delay a drugs and alcohol test? I was thinking the religion card could be played?

[SAS Tom]

In my experience nothing. But then again everywhere I have worked have only tested based on suspicion rather than random testing.

[fasimew]

I've never known it to be otherwise.

[GordonGekko]

If you were paying someone to work for you from your own money; and they were impaired by drugs/alcohol, how would you respond?

[fasimew]

I'll remind you of the question at hand. Hopefully this will help you get back on track.

what excuse would HR accept in order to avoid or delay a drugs and alcohol test?

[GT03ROB]

We use random testing at one of our sites. Its done 1st thing in the morning as people arrive.

Its administered by security. Refusal is considered a positive test & security pass is permanently withdrawn.

We advise people if they thing they may give a positive stay in bed, call in sick, then come in later in the day.

[h0b0]

If you use religion as your excuse you are only fueling intolerance.

[s p a c e m a n]

They call it a non negative test for a reason, it means any delays or refusal is a fail. If it's alcohol you're screwed, hypothetically what drug are we talking about? Saliva swab test?

[wisbech]

Continuously call in sick until you get fired for that instead or the substances leave your system?

[valiant]

We're subject to random testing and there is NO excuse. A refusal will have you suspended pending investigation. All medication must be declared before starting work as well and management will have the final say on whether it's to be considered safe to work. Religion will not be an acceptable excuse.

As above, if you think you may be positive then stay away from the workplace until you're considered 'clean'.

D&A is usually there for very good reasons like working with heavy machinery so....

[cossy400]

We get random tests but they are normally when he can fit you in.

Never a Monday in the 5 years I've been here.

Mine was last Wednesday but I'd not has one for 3 months up to then

[s p a c e m a n]

Ok, question for the regulars. Do you normally get a mouth swap or pee in a tub?

[Muzzer79]

fasimew said:

Purely hypothetical (yeah yeah)... Let's say that were to have a suprise drugs and alcohol test at work. Knowing that this may mean the end of your employment, what excuse would HR accept in order to avoid or delay a drugs and alcohol test? I was thinking the religion card could be played?

If it's a surprise test, you can't plan for it, therefore I'd say nothing.

You will (should) have signed up in your contract to accept random testing, so the religion card won't work.

[Countdown]

fasimew said:

Purely hypothetical (yeah yeah)... Let's say that were to have a suprise drugs and alcohol test at work. Knowing that this may mean the end of your employment, what excuse would HR accept in order to avoid or delay a drugs and alcohol test? I was thinking the religion card could be played?

Which religion says you can't have a drugs wipe or pee in a tub?

I'd be more worried about them carrying out random IQ tests if I were you.

[wisbech]

Countdown said:

Which religion says you can't have a drugs wipe or pee in a tub?

I'd be more worried about them carrying out random IQ tests if I were you.

The Holy And Apocalyptic Temple of Not Wanting To Be Fired For Refusing Drugs Tests. OP is Pope and Head Lama

[valiant]

s p a c e m a n said:

Ok, question for the regulars. Do you normally get a mouth swap or pee in a tub?

Breathalyser and pee in a cup.

[Evanivitch]

fasimew said:

Purely hypothetical (yeah yeah)... Let's say that were to have a suprise drugs and alcohol test at work. Knowing that this may mean the end of your employment, what excuse would HR accept in order to avoid or delay a drugs and alcohol test? I was thinking the religion card could be played?

Usually your only options are medically prescribed, indirect consumption or tainted product, or you have an unmanaged addiction.

Based on your role, safety implications and the drugs detected depends how well any of those will go.

[LastPoster]

valiant said:

s p a c e m a n said:

Ok, question for the regulars. Do you normally get a mouth swap or pee in a tub?

Breathalyser and pee in a cup.

I was talking to mate about this on Saturday, for him it was swab and urine. First time (aged 58) he has ever had to undergo anything like this so a bit unsettling as he is a fairly new employee and there was no explanation, he was just pulled to one side when clocking in along with a few others. No indication why until he was actually tested, there was then a two hour wait until all 'candidates' were tested and results complete.

He passed

[Forester1965]

If the OP is looking for an on-point answer, it's don't take drugs.

Secondary answer: don't go into work if you think you might fail a test.

Tertiary answer: don't accept jobs that are incompatible with your lifestyle.

[StevieBee]

fasimew said:

Purely hypothetical (yeah yeah)... Let's say that we're to have a suprise drugs and alcohol test at work. Knowing that this may mean the end of your employment, what excuse would HR accept in order to avoid or delay a drugs and alcohol test? I was thinking the religion card could be played?

Absolutely none.

I can think of no religion that would preclude you from such a test and if there were, you would need to demonstrate evidence of devout following.

Such tests are either a legal requirement stipulated by the relevant regulatory body or part of the company's policy, either of which will be set out in the employment contract you signed.

If you're dim enough to break the rules of your employment then you need to be prepared to face the consequences when you do.