Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Hiring Hurdle: Finding Workers Who Can Pass a Drug Test

nytimes.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 58 posts

Re: Hiring Hurdle: Finding Workers Who Can Pass a Drug Test

#21

Post by smelendez »

AndrewKemendo wrote: post #6

If you want a contract, loan, tax benefit or anything else explicit from the federal government or any contractor of the federal government - you have to institute drug screening policies, which are audited. edit: The implication I am making is that this is literally the only (IMO) good reason to have such a policy.

Is this the law in question? http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/asp/drugfree/require.htm

It doesn't sound like testing is required--just telling employees not to use drugs at work, and taking action if they are caught doing so?

Re: Hiring Hurdle: Finding Workers Who Can Pass a Drug Test

#22

Post by nsxwolf »

shkkmo wrote: post #8
CapitalistCartr wrote: post #3

As the quote from the article says: “most people can’t pass the drug test because they don’t want to pass a drug test.” I work in manufacturing. We make it easy to pass. Several days from interview to test. That's every place I've been. And as the article suggests, its almost exclusively whites not passing. I figure its a culture thing.

> Several days from interview to test Not enough time to piss clean from Cannabis, but enough for some of the harder drugs. > And as the article suggests, its almost exclusively whites not passing Doesn't that make drug tests a racist practice?

Sounds like "disparate impact"

Re: Hiring Hurdle: Finding Workers Who Can Pass a Drug Test

#23

Post by thedevil »

I see a different problem: lack of jobs that don't drug test.

I don't do any drugs and never been a fan of weed, but I sometimes won't apply for a job if they drug test. I wish I could stick to this every time.

The no-drug-screen screen is actually a good filter. Companies with drug-screening are, on average, more unpleasant to work at.

Just say no to drug screening, kids.

Edit: alright, to be fair, some of those jobs mentioned have good reason. But the jobs that tested me didn't

Re: Hiring Hurdle: Finding Workers Who Can Pass a Drug Test

#24

Post by Spooky23 »

AndrewKemendo wrote: post #6

If you want a contract, loan, tax benefit or anything else explicit from the federal government or any contractor of the federal government - you have to institute drug screening policies, which are audited. edit: The implication I am making is that this is literally the only (IMO) good reason to have such a policy.

The federal stuff is a normal compliance thing. Put up a poster and have a policy.

The "good reason" is driven by workers compensation insurance, especially with people who drive or operate dangerous machinery.

Re: Hiring Hurdle: Finding Workers Who Can Pass a Drug Test

#25

Post by Spooky23 »

stephengillie wrote: post #2

Why would an employer want to drug test employees? Do some still believe there is some kind of correlation between (prescription or self-medicated) drug use? From the article: > In Colorado, “to find a roofer or a painter that can pass a drug test is unheard-of,” Sure, it makes some sense for a few, select jobs like truck driving. But why would you care what your roofer or painter did last night, as long as the job g…

You care because you don't want to deal with workplace injuries and druggies stealing your stuff.

Roofers are high turnover, low/moderate skill folks. If the business model requires reliable guys, you may consider it.

Re: Hiring Hurdle: Finding Workers Who Can Pass a Drug Test

#26

Post by clevernickname »

tyenl wrote: post #12
shkkmo wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Several days from interview to test Not enough time to piss clean from Cannabis, but enough for some of the harder drugs. > And as the article suggests, its almost exclusively whites not passing Doesn't that make drug tests a racist practice?

Does the racial make up of NBA rosters make the NBA a racist organization?

Does the racial make up of your average tech company make them racist organizations?

Re: Hiring Hurdle: Finding Workers Who Can Pass a Drug Test

#27

Post by adrice727 »

AndrewKemendo wrote: post #6

If you want a contract, loan, tax benefit or anything else explicit from the federal government or any contractor of the federal government - you have to institute drug screening policies, which are audited. edit: The implication I am making is that this is literally the only (IMO) good reason to have such a policy.

Yet many federal employees aren't tested. I spent five years as a DoD employee with secret security clearance and never had to take a drug test.

Re: Hiring Hurdle: Finding Workers Who Can Pass a Drug Test

#28

Post by jpindar »

AndrewKemendo wrote: post #6

If you want a contract, loan, tax benefit or anything else explicit from the federal government or any contractor of the federal government - you have to institute drug screening policies, which are audited. edit: The implication I am making is that this is literally the only (IMO) good reason to have such a policy.

I worked much of my career for defense contractors and I've never been tested. As I understand it, they are required to have a policy for testing anyone suspected of drug use - but they are not required to suspect anyone.

Re: Hiring Hurdle: Finding Workers Who Can Pass a Drug Test

#29

Post by walrus01 »

adrice727 wrote: post #27
AndrewKemendo wrote: post #6

If you want a contract, loan, tax benefit or anything else explicit from the federal government or any contractor of the federal government - you have to institute drug screening policies, which are audited. edit: The implication I am making is that this is literally the only (IMO) good reason to have such a policy.

Yet many federal employees aren't tested. I spent five years as a DoD employee with secret security clearance and never had to take a drug test.

You did an SF-86 and went through the whole OPM background check process for Secret and weren't drug tested? Seriously?

Re: Hiring Hurdle: Finding Workers Who Can Pass a Drug Test

#30

Post by [deleted] »

walrus01 wrote: post #29
adrice727 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yet many federal employees aren't tested. I spent five years as a DoD employee with secret security clearance and never had to take a drug test.

You did an SF-86 and went through the whole OPM background check process for Secret and weren't drug tested? Seriously?

[deleted]
Post reply on HN