Q&A

Is it legal for an employer to request a drug test?

Is it legal for an employer to request a drug test?

While most state laws permit employee drug testing, the circumstances under which an employer can request that an employee submit to drug testing varies from state to state.

Can a person be fired for taking a drug test?

Most of the time after being hired an employer requires reasonable suspicion before having an employee take a drug test. Even with the recent legalization of marijuana in some states, employees in those states can still be punished for testing positive.

Do you have to give consent for drug testing?

Employers have to have consent if they want to test for drugs. Usually this is when they have a full contractual health and safety policy, which should be in the contract or staff handbook. limit testing to employees that need to be tested not single out particular employees for testing unless this is justified by the nature of their jobs

Why do you have to do drug testing at work?

Employment in sectors that involve driving, using machinery or require safety-critical operations sometimes means the alcohol and drug testing are undertaken to ensure that employees are working safely. This can either be ‘random’ testing, which involves choosing a number of employees on a regular basis for testing.

Is it legal for an employer to test an employee for drugs?

Generally, employers are allowed to test their employees for illegal drugs. Employers are also free to conduct drug tests on prospective employees if they follow the laws for such tests.

Most of the time after being hired an employer requires reasonable suspicion before having an employee take a drug test. Even with the recent legalization of marijuana in some states, employees in those states can still be punished for testing positive.

Do you have to pass a drug test to get a job?

The applicant knows that such testing will be part of the screening process for new employees (for example, because the job application said so or because the employer’s online job posting stated that a drug test would be required). The employer has already offered the applicant the job, contingent on passing a drug test.

Can a job offer be rescinded on a drug test?

When Offers Can Be Rescinded. Even when you have a doctor’s prescription for a medication that shows up on a drug test, an employer can sometimes legally rescind a job offer.