DFW discriminating

[Unregistered]

Am I the only one who thinks they are denied TONS of opportunity because of a personal choice to smoke pot??
I mean, everyone has a vice... mine is the weed. For others, it's coffee, chocolate, tobacco, shopping, alcohol... whatever.
The point is, I am definitely qualified for the positions I am applying for (MCL Grad. in '00 with Comm. degree, internships, assistantships, national service, etc...) yet I am forced to go against my principles and freedoms to surrender to testing of my bodily fluids in an embarrassing charade to cover up my "true" identity.
Why must I prove myself beyond my obvious capabilities for the job? Why does my pee reflect my potential for filling a position?
I understand that the insurance companies covering certain employers stipulate pre-employment testing. Why don't they hassle tobacco users who carry more risk of health problems and complications not to mention many daily breaks for their "nic fix"?
It seems very superficial to me that what I do in my spare time, NOT AT WORK mind you, affects my hirability.

[Alli_Cat78]

i feel your pain!!! they shold just legalize and treat weed like tobacco. As far as pee tests, I look at it like this though...

they aren't really testing if you smoke weed, what they really want to know is - are you capeable of refraining for a couple of weeks to get a job. If you can't manage to stay away from it for a couple of weeks to pass a pee test then there is a greater chance of it affecting your performance in the future. Any real smoker knows how long weed is detectable in your pee, and small ways to speed up the process. If they really wanted to know if you had EVER smoked weed they'd test your hair not your pee.

[Shaith]

Originally posted by Unregistered
Am I the only one who thinks they are denied TONS of opportunity because of a personal choice to smoke pot??
I mean, everyone has a vice... mine is the weed. For others, it's coffee, chocolate, tobacco, shopping, alcohol... whatever.
The point is, I am definitely qualified for the positions I am applying for (MCL Grad. in '00 with Comm. degree, internships, assistantships, national service, etc...) yet I am forced to go against my principles and freedoms to surrender to testing of my bodily fluids in an embarrassing charade to cover up my "true" identity.
Why must I prove myself beyond my obvious capabilities for the job? Why does my pee reflect my potential for filling a position?
I understand that the insurance companies covering certain employers stipulate pre-employment testing. Why don't they hassle tobacco users who carry more risk of health problems and complications not to mention many daily breaks for their "nic fix"?
It seems very superficial to me that what I do in my spare time, NOT AT WORK mind you, affects my hirability.

Nevermind that it kills brain cells and is illegal, right?

Your freedoms aren't being violated. Smoking marijuana isn't a freedom. It isn't afforded protection under the Constitution.

As for your potential, how about this list from the CDC:


Among known or suspected effects are:

1. short-term memory impairment and slowness of learning.

2. impaired lung function similar to that found in cigarette smokers. Indications are that more serious effects, such as cancer and other lung disease, follow extended use.

3. decreased sperm count and sperm motility.

4. interference with ovulation and pre-natal development.

5. impaired immune response.

6. possible adverse effects on heart function.

7. by-products of marijuana remaining in body fat for several weeks, with unknown consequences. The storage of these by-products increases the possiblilties for chronic, as well as residual, effects on performance, even after the acute reaction to the drug has worn off. Of special concern are the long-term developmental effects in children and adolescents, who are particularly vulnerable to the drug's behavioral and psychological effects. The "amotivational syndrome," characterized by a pattern of energy loss, diminished school performance, harmed parental relationships, and other behavorial disruptions, has been associated with prolonged marijuana use by young persons. Although more research is required, recent national surveys report that 40% of heavy users experience some or all of those symptoms.

[Shaith]

Originally posted by Alli_Cat78
i feel your pain!!! they shold just legalize and treat weed like tobacco. As far as pee tests, I look at it like this though...

they aren't really testing if you smoke weed, what they really want to know is - are you capeable of refraining for a couple of weeks to get a job. If you can't manage to stay away from it for a couple of weeks to pass a pee test then there is a greater chance of it affecting your performance in the future. Any real smoker knows how long weed is detectable in your pee, and small ways to speed up the process. If they really wanted to know if you had EVER smoked weed they'd test your hair not your pee.

No, they're testing to see if you're breaking the law by taking illegal drugs. Marijuana is an illegal drug. Rest assured that the more vital the job is, the more stringent the testing procedures are, and with good reason.

[Jayesh]

First of all, let me say that I do not do drugs, nor do I beleive in abusing my body for a moment's pleasure.
However, I must say that every person has a right to abuse himself as they please, as long as it doesnt hurt others. Employers should judge their emplyees solely on job performance, not on the choices they make outside of work

[Shaith]

Originally posted by Jayesh
First of all, let me say that I do not do drugs, nor do I beleive in abusing my body for a moment's pleasure.
However, I must say that every person has a right to abuse himself as they please, as long as it doesnt hurt others. Employers should judge their emplyees solely on job performance, not on the choices they make outside of work

You're right - they can abuse their bodies as they see fit.

And employers can offer or deny, or terminate employment, based on results of drug tests. These tests aren't looking for legal drugs. They're looking for illicit drugs. Your employer could care less if you took aspirin this morning, but I guarantee they care about the 2 joints you smoked last night. The difference is largely an academic one: aspirin isn't going to get you arrested.

Many employers might take a different viewpoint if marijuana were legal, but most that I've ever dealt with wouldn't change their practices even if it did become legal.

So, for those who choose to smoke marijuana, you've also chosen to place your job or the ability to get a job in jeopardy, and you can blame nobody but yourself.

And for those of you who snicker and think those "cleaners" will keep you safe, the components in those cleaners have a chemical signature that can be traced as well. And those cleaners won't help you with your hair.

Wanna know the safest way not to get caught? Don't do it in the first place.

[Antonina]

I agree.

While I am not against people smoking dope if they wish (as you say, it's your own body), it does make sense for companies to prefer people who aren't dependent on it- because hash does decrease motivation and slow your brain down... who'd want to hire someone who was not the most efficient? Companies are there to make money (most of us here live in a capitalist society) - they are not there to fight for your rights to do whatever you want to your own body!!!

The fact of the matter is, if you can't stay off it for long enough to get a clean test, then by definition, you're dependent. And if you're dependent, then most likely you're not going to be working at 100% of your capabilities at work- so why would a profit- and efficiency-driven company or boss feel like hiring you over someone who either smokes dope but can stay off it for long enough to get a clean test, or someone who doesn't smoke at all?