Can a person Interviewing you for a job give you a drug test without notifying you beforehand about it?

Question

I'm getting a job stocking a costume store and I'm being interviewed in a few days. Neither the application or the person who is performing the interview have said anything about a drug test. So can they give me one without notifying me beforehand?

Answer 1

Do you need time to study for it?

If you are job hunting, it's best to assume that all potential employers will do a drug test as part of the hiring process. More and more companies are doing it now, so just be ready to take one.

*EDIT* - Personally, I have nothing against you smoking pot. But I would also expect you to pay the consequences for your actions. If this means it's harder to find a job, then it is harder to find a job.

Is it normal for companies to do this. Yes, it is, which why I said you should just assume it will happen, whether you are told or not. And, even after you are hired, some places will do random drug tests with no notice. You show up to work and they hand you a bottle to pee into. If you fail, you get discipline action against you, up to and incuding termination.

They will also do a drug test automatically if you are involved in any type of incident at work. And if you are injured and they find drugs in your system, you can pretty much kiss workers comp goodbye (and your job, too).

Answer 2

Of course they can.

Why should you have a problem with this anyway?  

Answer 3

They will just tell you that you have to go somewhere and get tested.

And they may not hire you if you refuse to do so

Answer 4

That's generally the way they make sure.

You can say no; and keep job hunting.  

Answer 5

It is totally legal and they do not have to tell you. If they were smart they would say so right up front. It costs money to do the test.It takes money time and effort to hire. If a person was totally clean and a test was asked many would say they "are out of here".

If you later have to fire somebody and need to replace them.... more time and money.

If you look clean cut, dress well enough and speak well most employers would not bother with a test. Again you could just walk away and even if you do smoke....... whatever just do it on your own time.

I smoked some in college. I like most can pick up a smoker from a mile away. It is more about speech patterns and body language than anything else.

If you have to worry about this you have a choice to make. Smoke or  not and be a sucess.

Answer 6

You're going to get that test wherever you go.  Might want to consider cleaning yourself up..

Answer 7

The idea of a drug test is so that it is done randomly!  They don't want people using drugs in their workplace as it puts other employees at risk!  Yes, it is perfectly legal for them to send you for a drug test, whenever they want!

I personally like the fact that my employer does random drug screens.  I work with animals, and if a coworker is high, it could mean a matter of life and death for me, I depend on my partner to have my back - if he's high, I'm screwed with my face torn to shreds!