Cannabis use and traces found in work place random test

Brian Marwood

Brian Marwood

Well-known member
A friend of mine works at a company where he has a job driving mechanical equipment, he has been told that he and his colleagues will be subject to future random drug tests with a zero tolerance approach. Anyone found with traces of illegal drugs in their system will be suspended and eventually dismissed.

He is a casual weekend user and never smokes cannabis at work or during week days but because it can stay in the system for up to 30 days he feels that when tested he will fail and lose his job.

I didn't realise about this 30 days thing for staying in the system and that clearly means that he might fail the test but won't actually be under the influence.

Don't they need to prove that he is actually under the influence to issue disciplinary action?
Doesn't the fact it is legal in Netherlands and places in the US make this a very grey area?
 
Avoid poppy seeds at all costs as well then, you can test positive for heroin it seems
 
I’m no expert but I think it depends on the type and sensitivity of the test as well as how often and how much you use. It’s unlikely to be in his system for anywhere near 30 days if he only has a little bit at the weekend. I’d also expect the tests to not show positives for people who may have accidentally inhaled low levels of second hand smoke, so small traces in his system may not be picked up.

Having said that, if he is just accepting that he will eventually lose his job instead of reconsidering whether it’s worth using at all, maybe he’s a lot more dependent on it than he’s willing to admit.
 
Been this way in construction (in the UK) for years, which I think is over a decade now.

I think hair samples retain evidence the longest, but I don't think these get taken on random tests.
 
Brian Marwood said:
A friend of mine works at a company where he has a job driving mechanical equipment, he has been told that he and his colleagues will be subject to future random drug tests with a zero tolerance approach. Anyone found with traces of illegal drugs in their system will be suspended and eventually dismissed.

He is a casual weekend user and never smokes cannabis at work or during week days but because it can stay in the system for up to 30 days he feels that when tested he will fail and lose his job.

I didn't realise about this 30 days thing for staying in the system and that clearly means that he might fail the test but won't actually be under the influence.

Don't they need to prove that he is actually under the influence to issue disciplinary action?
Doesn't the fact it is legal in Netherlands and places in the US make this a very grey area?
Click to expand...
Keep off the dope Brian and you should be OK. If you're just a light user you should be clear in a week.
 
I guess it's a case of simply don't bother if in any doubt. A urine test will detect a regular smoker for months.

Maybe switch to Class A as coke / Mdma clear in 3 to 5 days😂.

Having served 23 years in the armed forces it was simply never worth it. I have a few friends who got booted out and it's on the rise. Especially with cocaine. I went out on Saturday for the footy and you'd think it was legal. Just streams of men coming out of cubicles. In fact my missus said it was as bad in the ladies.

Very few companies use hair testing as too expensive and takes longer for results.
 
Working in Oz urine testing for booze and drugs was a very regular thing.
Quite a few of the lads had a clean sample in a condom which the kept sat next to their balls and used it if they got pulled 1st thing in the morning.
 
Depending if the company have a policy in regards to drug and alcohol misuse, and the industry its based in, Then have a look at the link below, as many company's now will have a policy to support staff that admit they have a problem with drugs or alcohol.

Managing misuse at work: Support employees with a drug or alcohol problem

When you've assessed the risk and have a policy on drug or alcohol misuse (or abuse) in your workplace
www.hse.gov.uk www.hse.gov.uk
 
Brian Marwood said:
Doesn't the fact it is legal in Netherlands and places in the US make this a very grey area?
Click to expand...

Royal Dutch Shell workers in the North Sea are tested and used to face disciplinary action if found to have had a dabble. Not sure if this is still the case but it used to be.
 
zzzzz said:
Working in Oz urine testing for booze and drugs was a very regular thing.
Quite a few of the lads had a clean sample in a condom which the kept sat next to their balls and used it if they got pulled 1st thing in the morning.
Click to expand...
Yep, went offshore from Broome and Exmouth last year, drug and alcohol were compulsory to get on to the vessel.
 
Cannabis is detectable for so long because it is stored in the body's fat deposits and is lost gradually through faeces and urine so detection rates from urine tests are longer for heavier users.

Contrary to popular belief, Cannabis isn't legal in the Netherlands.
 
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I bought 9 panel drug tests off amazon before to see how long weed stayed in my system, in a fit 30ish & it stayed in my system for a week - i rarely use it

They dont know if you smoked it a week ago, or an hour ago. To HR youre out the door either way
 
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