Monday my husband went to work a 6 am. and as soon as they walked through the door, they were doing random drug tests. Apparently, over the weekend, there was a big party, that alot of them went to. As soon as they got to work all of the ones that went to the party, were called to do the random drug test. A few others had to go too, but not many. Out of 50 drug tests only 8 passed. My question is, do you think it was set up? I don't know if it was a set up, but I do think someone turned them in. Do you, or do you think it was just a coincidence that out of 500 people only the ones that went to the party, were called to take a drug test.
[question posted by Thoroughrob]
responses and comments:
well i don't think it was set up, but there had to have been a spy! i don't see y they would make a big deal of it anyway, as long as the people came back to do their job! it's not like they were on drugs at work! [mgmagana]
the problem is that some works prohibit the use of drugs, and while some companies don't fire people for being honest about it, its rare.... I agree there had to have been a spy, which resulted in the drug test, and it seems weird that they had all people but a small handful as ones that were at the party.... So if there is a contract of company rule that states about the use of illegal drugs I think they were within their rights of doing a random drug test... Not to mention others have said that rarely are they random, they tend to get wind of it, and may have planned it as soon as they heard about it, and I'm sure that there are ways to find out who was there.... But a company spy would have made the job a lot easier. mooch [oneandonemakesix]
What I have learned with my ex and my current spouse being ex-military is that random drug test are never random. If anyone catches wind of a huge party, if a lot of people have been on leave or there has been a long weekend, odds are there will be a "random" drug test on the next work day. Some people will be randomly chosen, but it is usually the people they suspect that are first on the list. [sedel1027]
I agree with you completely, its never a random test , there certainly was a tell tale and may be the bosses had suspected this for a while so went for a test and they usually know who is doing it fairly regularly and who was the first timer. [mansha]
Hell yes it sounds like a set up. I think it is called entrapment. That is way too high a number to be a coincidence. Perhaps soemone who was not invited to the party wanted to get even!! [whiteheather39]
Companies do have ways of weeding out people don't they.....Yes, that sounds like it was specifically set up for some. But you know, regardless if it was set up or not, they failed a drug test. Any company has the right (and they'd be crazy not to do it) have drug tests. Our own company has policy that any one requiring medical attention, it's a manditory drug test. I set that up after we had two employees that had developing habits and fuzzy work ethics. There are too many lawsuits out there, workmens comp and disability claims that do fall on the employers because when if these drug tests were dont, it would have fell back on the employee as being at fault. I would say that these people were being watched somewhere and when the company got wind of this party, it was a good opportunity to clean house. I'm not saying it's right, but I know that's how it works. This might have been the only loop hole they had for getting rid of these people. No, it isn't the nicest thing to say, but I'm honest. [ljegbers]
Anyone hurt on the job is subject to drug testing. [ljegbers]
Since out of 500 people only 50 were called to do the drug test and it happend to be only the 50 that went to the party I would have to say it sounds like a set up to me. Do you know if the ones that did not pass the drug test got fired or let go? If they got let go it sounds like the company was cleaning house! [kimlot]
That is soooo BAD and I feel for the ones who got fired! [kimlot]
That definitely smells of a set up to me. If it was truly random, then only a few of the 50 would have turned up, but when there's only 8 clean ones in the whole bunch it makes it suspicious to say the least. I mean, what are the odds? [JoyfulOne]
Well as far as I am aware it it not legal for them to try to fire people for things they did when they were not at work. If none of the employees are participating in drug use DURING work hours then the employer really has no right to say a word to them about it unless it is directly affecting thier work, by making them less prodcutive or miss time. What you do on your time is your business. I suggest anyone affected by this read up on thier local labor board policys and thier rights as employess and as private people. [Nykkee]
That's unfortunate. I live in Canada, our labour laws must be different, becuase it is illegal here to fire a person for any of the things that you listed here. [Nykkee]
Of course it was a set up. At least that's how it looks to me. They should be able to fight them on this with unemployment...I'd check into it..Lori [dumblnddzzy]
I cannot feel too much sympathy for those who got caught. the word illegal means just that I do not want anyone stoned on something to be in any position where they could well cause the injury or even death of one of my family. if you do not want to be caught in a random drug thing then for heavens sakes do not do drugs. illegal simply means it is not legal. You would not want a surgeon operating on one of you family to be on drugs. [Hatley]
Sounds like a set up but if they know there can be random drug test they should have gone and done it [Lakota12]
Well firstly, I think it is none of the employers business who does what on their spare time unless their activities are spilling over into their work time. What I mean is, if an adult wants to smoke a joint on their time off that is their business as long as they do not show up to work high. I mean, it is your life to do as you see fit and adults should be free to make their decisions no matter how stupid on their off time. Someone was a spy dang them I bet they used a digital printing to take pics.If employers want to control someone's off time they need to compensate for it. Now an erratic drug addict behaving poorly at work.... I see a reason for an employer to act on this. But if people go to a party and do something but show up to work normally it is none of the employers business. That is just it, work life and home life should be separate. [sirensanssmile]
I agree but only to a point because a lot of drugs used for pleasure spill over into the next day and woe to someone who depends on a stoned person for his or her safety. I sold Digital Photo Frames for this place and a kid that was 18 years old take in with a resume that said he had his last job for 12 years. lots of people in places where they held the lives of others in their hands have caused accidents because they had too much of some pleasure drug in their systems and were not doing their jobs safely . I do not care what they do on their own time but sure hope they do not do drugs on my time. [Hatley]
First I sure hope your husband was one of the eight who passed! Pretty unlikely coincidence, but I guess my question would be whether the workers at this company were advised at the time of hire that illegal activities engaged in outside of work hours would result in termination. [drannhh]
No, my husband didn't get picked to have one. They did all know they were subject to get random drug tests. [Thoroughrob]
I think there was a rat at the party just itching with fleas to tell on everybody... [creative_angel312]
I think that someone may have been there or may have turned them in, but I would make sure if they had a positive they were not on any prescribe medication, there are some drugs that will show up on a drug test that are prescribed drugs, and if they have a prescription then they need to not be held accountable for that.... But it really has the sound of a sting to me. Mooch [oneandonemakesix]
That is what I think. To just pick almost everyone that was at that party is just strange. It must have been some party for all those people to have been there. [Thoroughrob]
Well it is hard to say for sure. I would have to say that yes, it most likely WAS a set up just. However, very strange and interesting things happen hehe. But that is almost a little too strange that it just so happened to be the people who had gone to the party. I have a feeling that maybe a bunch of people are work were talking about it and so someone heard about it and told the boss or something about it. That is not too cool .. But I suppose thats just how life is sometimes hmm? Well .. I hope your husband wasnt one of those among the ones caught, and if so then maybe he learned some valuable lesson. Im sure that either way, he and the rest did anyways. [grunge_avenged]
I don't understand this. Why is it ok for a company to do a drug test on people? Especially if people did drugs on their own free time and didn't come to work stoned or drug! What, do we live in a communist country now that even our private lives are not our own? Yes this was a set up? The question is why? What type of company is this? Did they need a good excuse to fire people; maybe to save the company money? What other reasons could their be for something like this? [CoffeeAnyone]
I was sure I had already made a comment to this discussion saying how stupid I was for not thinking my thoughts through on this subject. However I still have to say what a sad sad world we live in when we have to get drug tested at the door no matter what our job description. [CoffeeAnyone]
Since I'm so strongly opposed to drug use because of what I've seen it do to families, the only thing I can say is if the company had a drug policy, don't blame the company, blame the ones who violated the policy. Companies have drug policies for a reason, so those persons who used the drugs did so knowingly. The company I retired from had a drug policy and employees knew that each month (dates varied) the computer system would randomly select X number of employees to be drug tested. From the time an employee was informed he/she had been selected for drug testing, they had a limited amount of time to report for testing.If they failed to report for testing within the required time frame, they were automatically suspended, pending a hearing. [5SCPapaLou1]
It is probably a set up, as you said, or someone informed. However, if a company has drug policies, then employees need to be prepared to face them any time they walk on the premises. They are there for safety reasons, and it is important. You did not say if your husband passed the screen. Some people may have recourse or excuses. Well maybe if they would have used bath and body supplies that would help in some kind of way. [GardenGerty]
One of the 8 people was taking some notes at this party lol. That's my best guess. Did they all get fired ? Or do they just have to go through some stupid class about drugs in the workplace or something like that ? [Sissygrl]
Wow.. I think here.. I THHINK.. i can't be 100 percent on this. The labour laws here say something like.. If the person gets cause they have to first admit that they have a problem, and when they admit it then they have to be given a chance to complete a treatment course. I'm not sure if it works that way for drugs too, but im thinking it does. I had a conversation with a bunch of other ladies at the job i was at before i had my daughter about one lady we worked with who showed up at work drunk EVERYDAY. She'd even take naps in the store while she was supposed to be working. The human resource lady was in on this conversation, and she told us that there was no way that they could fire the drunk lady because it would be discrimination. Cause alcoholism is a disease you know.. lol. EVEN if she hurt someone opperating equipment, she'd only get sent home for that day. tehre was nothing they could do to fire her. CRAZY HUH?! [Sissygrl]
Yep, sounds like it was someone's personal revenge. Probably someone who was at the party and smart enough not to partake in whatever "drug" was being used, turned them in. More than likely it was only to revenge 1 person, but unfortunately many more paid the price. [leeesa]
Well that sure sounds like it was set up to me, I suppose it was time to clean house and this was a venue to do it. So who picks up the work of 42 workers who are gone now that has to have a impact on those still working? [Deea48]
All the rest of the workers are picking up the slack until they get some new people to cover. My husband has had to work 12 hours the last two days. [Thoroughrob]
It could be that the company about workers coming to work & being affected by drugs. It could be a safety issue. Some jobs just can't be performed safely, if your system is even slightly affected by drugs. So I guess that gives the management that right to do drug tests on party goers. I dont know if this was set up, but there certainly must have been an informer. [jennybianca]
hmmmmmmmm, Someone said something for sure. Someone wanted one of those people in big trouble. But I have to say, whether random or not, 8 out of 50 passing is not good! I am a nurse, and if 8 out of 50 nurses only passed a drug test and they were taking care of my loved on I'd have a fit. Now I know you are probably not talking about the medical field, but a test is a test. Come on guys! [mytwo_daughters]
Sounds like to me that this test wasn't random. Maybe the person doing the tests wasn't invited to this party and was mad about it, or saw it as away to clean out the bad seeds. Honestly though, if you worked at a place that does drug tests, you should always be prepared, meaning don't do anything that would cause you to lose your job. Nothing the people could do because a few others was tested and they all popped positve so that's an automatic firing. Maybe with there next job, they will learn. [chertsy]
Oh it definately sounds to me like one of the partygoers cried out about it all to get others in trouble. Maybe they weren't invited or somebody did them wrong but oh yeah that is what is sounds like to me. Usually if they do a random testing its an assorted crowd of people not ones that had partaken in some partying over the weekend. Donna [scags2005]
it sounds like a set up to me, because the test was called straight after the party so no-one had a chance to get the traces out of their system. Personally I think random drug tests are a little redundant(obviousley,pilots, doctors and other high profile jobs need those kinds of checks)because say for example cannabis takes upto a month to get out of your system, but heroin and cocaine can be out of your system in 3 days! this kind of thing has had a massive effect in UK prisons, using heroin more instead of cannabis because they can escape detection, but if you smoke cannabis in a UK jail and get caught it can add up to 30 days on your sentence!!Anyhoo those eight people left over need looking at. I bet one of those eight gets a promotion in the next few weeks. so pick out the most sniveling a## kissing dweeb and you've probably got your man or woman!! [jimbomuso]
As the other have thought, I do not believe it was random. Although, I do not agree with it, if his company's policy entitled them to do a random drug screening, they can! So you don't have much stand point there. What I would look into if I was you would be the basis on how they derived which random employees they would test. What is their policy for that? What does state law stipulate? Or the Better Business Bureau? There has to be some statue or guideline somewhere. Did the company follow these guidelines? Lost wages in a lawsuit(or threat of one) can really add up!!!! [Stacey0475]
Someone had to have turned them in, how else would they have known who was there? Same thing happened to me fired me and I did not have the money to buy horses supplies . I think it was a total set-up and to me sounds like a possible lawsuit. When I worked for the Brighton Jewelry they dropped UA's like every month.I am not one of those people that think everyone should sue, but something is not right there. Was your husband one of the ones at the party? Or were there a few people that didnt go also checked? That is just a crappy way to run a company. [babiegirl45]
I guess so. That is a little strange though that they only choose the people from the party. Someone either told or like someone else said a person that wasnt invited told. But I have NEVER heard of that happening anywhere. [babiegirl45]
It sounds like they were out to get the partyers, but if the company has a no drug policy then it is their right to test and fire those found no obeying the rules. Perhaps they have had a problem with this, or maybe they were just trying to make a point. Do remember that drugs they would be testing for are illegal and while I may not agree with the law it is the law. [Aurone]
This sounds a lttle fishy and strange. Why would the ones who were at the party be called to a "random" drug test, especially out of 500 people. Maybe the drugtest was pre-planned, but the fact that they were the only ones, is too strange for me. [brian7914]
It seems highly likely, Thoroughrob, that this was pre-arranged. They are becoming so strict about drugs in the workplace, and I guess it will continue. I live in a large apartment building, and we have lost about 4 janitors over the past year due to them failing the drug test. I guess if a person wants to hold onto their job these days they should be very careful about drug use. [worldwise1]
My experience with random drug tests are that they are always set up one way or the other. A company I worked for would pick people they were sure would be clean just to say they did them. The only time I saw a real one there was when they wanted the guy out. [dlucks101]
It isn't a "set up" or entrapment (as someone else called it) unless the company provided the illegal drugs. It's far more likely that someone else who was at the party mentioned something that alerted management, who ordered the tests. It's beyond belief to think it's a coincidence, of course. Whoever talked about the party must have been questioned about who was there, or they knew because of just knowing who socializes with whom. Since there were 8 people who tested clean, those people must not have used illegal drugs. It's possible that one of them was upset because there was drug use at the party. I know that I would be. If NOBODY passed the test, I'd be much more suspicious. You have to sign stuff when you apply for a job or are hired, in most cases, acknowledging that you're subject to drug testing and will be fired if you fail a test. Your husband knew he might be tested, so if he used illegal drugs anyway, he knew he was gambling with his job at stake - ESPECIALLY since he was partying with people from work! Employers can't afford the liability of employees who use illegal drugs. They drive up health care costs and are more likely to have accidents on the job. I don't know if they can detect excessive drinking with those tests, but if they can, they should fire people who do that, too - the fact that alcohol is legal doesn't make it any less dangerous. [TechnoMom]
just a word here If one eats a lot of licorice candy or eats a lot of poppy seed rolls you could end up in a drug test with a false positve altho you had never taken drugs in your life. these two things will made a drug test come out postive. [Hatley]
It sounds like there was a snitch at the party. On the other hand what is the policy at work for drugs? Does all the employees know they are not suppose to be doing drugs? If I went to a party of a lot of my co-workes where doing drugs I would leave and I would tell someone higher up. I would do that for the safety of the patients. People have to realize that if they want to keep their jobs they need not to do drugs. I am an RN and I have seen so much bad that drugs have done. I went to a party and was druged by eating brownies.I only ate two. I have never had marjauna before, at least that is what I think it was. I would have flunked a drug test. The people where lined up to go into the bathroom and there was other things going on that I did not agree with. My husband did not notice it, but he was drunk off his butt. [teapotmommommerced]
At places of employment their random drug tests really arent very random! What did they have at the party alcohol? As long as people arent coming to work drunk I don't think they should not be allowed to drink alcohol! [shaggin]
does it really matter who passed and who failed during the drug test the ones who indulge in drugs are bound to be penalised and sometimes the innocent suffer with them. [jal1948]
yep....sounds like a setup. But I will say this: it's probably not the first time they did this, and obviously this is a sensitive job, so anybody who works there needs to stay away from drugs. Period! Must have been quite a bash if 42 out of 50 did drugs! So why are they all doing drugs anyway?????? [fec139]
It sounds like to me that someone at the party told the employer about the party and what was going on at the party. That is probably why they did the random drug testing. Someone definitely either knew the party was happening or was told about what was going on at the party. Not all parties involve alcohol or drugs. [kgwat70]
I doubt very much that it was "just a coincidence"! My question is, were those who failed the test disciplined or even fired? Also, what types of drugs did they test positive for? Things like this bother me, certainly not because I condone drug use but just the idea of being set up by an employer bothers me. Annie [anniepa]
Wow, to me, this definately sounds like a set up. Especially since it was done to most of the ones who went to the Party. Was it from a jealous person who was not invited and seeking revenge? What happened to all of them who failed? To me, sounds like this would not be one of the best places to want to work either with people like this. [KrauseHome]
Not a set up just trying to make sure every one is safe [SONIA12MAN]
Doesn't matter. Even if it was a set-up, it doesn't matter. If there's a possibility you could lose your job- don't do it. Random drug tests are hardly ever random. My boyfriend works at a mill that does 'random' testing, mostly after shut-downs, holidays, and long weekends. My boyfriend doesn't have anything to worry about though, he doesn't smoke pot, but I do. So to protect him, I shut myself in my bathroom. I would never forgive myself if I caused him to test dirty. People are responsible for their own actions. He has no problem with the 'random' testing, he knows he'll pass. I think I heard about this place from a friend is this a palce that sells motorycycle helmets, motorcycle apparel?People only worry when they are guilty! People put the blame on others or point the attention elsewhere when they know they are caught. They get mad at the boss or company because they didn't get out of it. Many people I know have been fired from the mill due to dirty U.A.'s and not very many of them blame themselves, but it's their fault. The boss didn't make them do stupid things. If your husband is upset about the party goers being turned in, maybe he should consider what they were doing to get themselves in trouble. Don't blame the narc for being a complete jackass, they are just being a brown-noser, we should pity the ones who don't understand loyalty. I'm not in favor of tattling, it's childish, but I'm also not in favor of people turning the attention from their own wrongs, to place the attention on someone else's wrongs. If you're man enough to commit the wrong, don't be childish when you're caught. I'm not saying you or your husband personally, I mean 'you' or 'they' as in the people we are discussing- you know who you are!! [jessigirl116]
Jessigirl you just spoke what I was thinking. In any event one should keep clean if one does not want to lose one's job. [Hatley]
It seemsto me that it was either a set up or someone was a spy and called your husbands workplace to report suspicions of drugs at that party. and of course your husband's supervisors did not want his employees using drugs. [Hatley]
Hatley I agree people shouldn't do drugs at all especially if they know the job can test them, right? It only makes sense, and especially if you think something is wrong then you shouldn't do it at the party. Pablo [callarse1]
Hello Throughrob, well there's nothing illegal about it. Workplaces are allowed to do drug testing, and guess? If you don't do drugs you have nothing to worry about. And guess? They have Storage applications that will keep this information on file for life too :( If you didn't do drugs at the party you have nothing to worry about. Since I don't do drugs, please do all drug tests you want and they will be negative. Yeah and I bet you half of these guys are walking around wearing Rolex Watches To be honest, I think it was wrong that someone did that at your work, but as I said previously, everyone should know that at any time your job can do drug test. :(( Pablo [callarse1]
Yes, it sounds very fishy to me! I think the drug tests are disgusting anyway. I'm glad I don't have to worry about this because I ride skateboards and snowboards and can't be all messed on on drugs or I might wipe out. My question is who is the powerful lobby that keeps a substance infinitely more benign than alcohol, which is likely what was imbibed at the party, illegal and criminal? (Martinis for example are straight alcohol aren't they? And don't some of our lawmakers have "martini lunches" then go back and tend to the affairs of state?) - In Vermont, because of the war against marijuana and its import, heroin use has become huge. -[Also in Vermont is where the most child rapists are let off on probation or not much more.. perhaps their jail system is dedicated to keeping drug users separated from society.. so the child rapists are sent home to the neighborhoods? confused [flowerchilde]