Drug test again after working for this company for four months (Houston: employment, college)

[Oildog]

I know more than a couple IT guys who stay 'contractors' so they can smoke weed. Those days are ending as most oil/gas companies want the same level of screening that regualr employees have.

[cla]

Originally Posted by Oildog

I know more than a couple IT guys who stay 'contractors' so they can smoke weed. Those days are ending as most oil/gas companies want the same level of screening that regualr employees have.

Yes, I recently read this article about drug testing extending to contractors...

Random drug testing extends to oil and gas contractors - Houston Business Journal

Originally Posted by va_residents

Nobody told me up front. This place has no communications at all. HR documents do not have this random drug test written. If I Knew it up front, I wouldn't be so surprised.

You may not remember it, but you more than likely signed a stack of papers when you were hired and in that stack of papers is the drug testing policy, but companies aren't obligated to that.

Here's some basic info:

Drug Testing in the Workplace

[RCH99]

Originally Posted by Oildog

I know more than a couple IT guys who stay 'contractors' so they can smoke weed.

I was under the impression that this was a prerequisite....

[tstone]

I guess they will either have to drop their pants and submit and checkout clean, or go back to

[testmo]

someone sounds like they just did some drugs.

yes this happens and should happen even in VA where you are from. did you just take a vacation, off for a few days, get into a disagreement with a co-worker? i was "randomly" selected for a drug test after visiting northern europe on a business trip. we all laughed about it and i took the test.

[va_residents]

In VA I had security clearance background check, but never had drug test. Does it sound odd?

[piyf]

Originally Posted by va_residents

Four months ago I was offered a job by an oil drilling company. I passed the drug test and started working. Now I am picked again for the drug test. This company randomly pick workers to have drug test. I am just wondereing if this is common practice in Houston area. Do you think this could be some discrimination since my last name is not White?

Welcome to the USA. Other countries don't do this as it's an invasion of privacy. Should only be required after an accident, under the suspicion or getting help from the government.

[houstonfan]

^^lol

[AlfredB1979]

Originally Posted by va_residents

Do you think this could be some discrimination since my last name is not White?

Your last name could be Brown, too. Like Chairman Lee, a past H-town mayor...

But, seriously, I've been with my current employer since the tail end of April and get picked to do all the randoms, it seems.

Five times, I believe. The gal handling my sample chuckled when I referred to myself as the company rep...

[Va-Cat]

It has everything to do with the industry you are working in and nothing to do with your position within the company you work for, your ethnic background or your security clearance. To get better rates on workers compensation insurance, companies in high risk industries will run random drug testing programs to be able to qualify for reduced insurance rates. I'm not talking about saving a couple hundred dollars either. Depending on the size of the company it can be a savings in the hundred thousand dollar range. Also, most companies would prefer to not have a random program. First, they are not inexpensive and second, they are a pain to manage. Unfortunately, it is still cheaper that paying the increase in the workers compensation insurance rates.