RE: The OTHER Test

[NZjaba -at- phi -dot- com]

Brent, I was a little surprised that you've been in the position where a
drug screen was "part of the hiring process," which to me implies that you
were asked to take the test before you had an offer of employment.  My last
two companies have required drug tests, but only after I accepted the
offer.  Both tests were part of a pre-employment physical.

The first job was with a semiconductor manufacturer.  Given the nature of
the work, which involves the use of hazardous chemicals, compressed gas
cylinders, high voltages, etc., I thought it reasonable to require a drug
screen for new employees.  (My position was in an analytical lab, where we
routinely used concentrated acids and solvents.)

My current employer is also a manufacturing concern.  The type of
manufacturing is not as inherently dangerous (although high voltage is an
issue), and my job does not expose me to any hazards.  But I'm not sure
companies can pick and choose which positions require screening and which
don't.

Now if I decided to interview with a software company for a tech writing
job and was told a drug screen was required, it would make me wonder.  What
I would ultimately decide would depend on all the other factors one has to
consider when looking at a potential employer.

I did once refuse to take a drug screen at a temporary employment agency.
I was looking for part-time clerical work while in school.  The form I
needed to sign would have held them harmless in the event of a false
positive result.  It wasn't worth it to me, so I walked away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nancy E. Zjaba, Technical Writer
Physical Electronics
6509 Flying Cloud Drive
Eden Prairie, MN  55344
USA
(952) 828-6386
nzjaba -at- phi -dot- com

Remember, I'm pulling for you.  We're all in this together.
-- Red Green