Drug testing using hair samples

[captain1 0]

The word is out. More companies are switching over to the hair test. Oh well, there goes the days of being a little naughty once in a blue moon, like during a vacation or a boogie!! Big Brother is finding more ways to invade your privacy, especially if you want to break into the middle or upper class work force.

[Cudlo 0]

that sux... suppose you could boycott by having everyone shave/lazer/whatever every hair.... we'd be a strange looking workforce...

_________________________________________
"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." - Kierkegaard

[cocheese 0]

Be your own boss and make your own rules. why let an employer rule your life ?

[goofyjumper 0]

I believe only the rich companies can really do that! Only the companies who want to spend alot of money for that will be able to do it. I don't know, but to me most of them just don't care.
As I grow older and meet many people including cops, lawyers, doctors, and anyone you really would never think would ever do drugs.......do them!
All I can say is, everything in moderation! because it sure is fun.........

-----------------
I love and Miss you so much Honey!
Orfun #3 ~ Darla

[Zee 0]

I started my present job the day after the WFFC last year. In preparation, I told my new boss that I was going on vacation for 10 days before I started so I told him I'd gladly run down to the clinic and take the wizz quiz before I left. I was pretty surprised to hear it when my boss said - Nah, I don't think it's gonna be a problem - Come to find out that they had previously made an attempt to drug test their employees but not a single one of them showed up for the test so, instead of firing everyone, they just gave up he he he.....

Action©Sports

[Kennedy 0]

It's not big brother if a company wants to put restrictions on its workforce. If you don't like it, don't work for them. Simple solution.

Also, it's not that expensive compared to a piss test, and it's less messy/hazardous, so expect it to catch on.


ps - short hair = short history (and it doesn't have to come from the head)

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[quade 4]

How fast does hair grow? About half an inch a month -- yes?

http://science.howstuffworks.com/question251.htm

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[mnealtx 0]

short hair = short history

True, true... just make sure you usually wear a short hairdo... if you've got a ponytail, and then show up for the drug test with your head shaved, they WILL take hair from someplace else, and they WILL be a lot more diligent in the testing....

Easiest way to pass a hair test (or a piss test) is not to do the drugs in the first place...

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[Kennedy 0]

Quote

Easiest way to pass a hair test (or a piss test) is not to do the drugs in the first place...

It's worked for me so far.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Casurf1978 0]

I use to internship at a brokerage house here in LA, basically they dealt with the ultra wealthy. One broker's only client was Gates. They tested everyone before you worked there, BUT they gave you 4-6 weeks notices before the test. Anyway, so many of those brokers used drugs it wasnt funny. The drug test was basically a joke.

[Michele 1]

When I was little, I had an MD/GP who would do hair tests...not for drugs (I was 8, all right??) but to see which minerals and vitamins you needed in your system. He would then rx whatever vitamins and such he thought you needed based on an analysis of the hair.

I hated it, because they took hair from the base of the neck at scalp level, which screwed up the pony tail. LOL....

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[akarunway 1]

I get tested on every job I go on.> union construction< 2 jobs ago ( Pechanga Casino) they gave a ten minute saliva test. All this shit is starting at the Fed level. A nurse on the last piss test said all those new tests cost to much (for now) so the majority. of co's. won't pay. But the insurance co's and the Fed's are pushing it. And from what I read a hair FOLICLE test can go back 5 yrs. Big Brother comin at ya

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[champu 1]

is it that unreasonable to require your employees pass a drug test?

If you smoked weed a couple times in college several years ago and you think it's going to come up on a long term drug test (or ebi/polygraph/etc.) then just tell them that. They problably won't care.

If you smoke weed habitually and you're afraid it's going to come up, well then... you're right to worry.

[akarunway 1]

How about I wanna take a swat (of pot) every now and then while I'm kicking back watching a movie at home after a HARD days work. And then eat a lot of food and laugh alot. I lose my job. Is that fair? Better I should get drunk and come in all hungover ?

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[champu 1]

well, personally I like to come home after work and have a beer and relax (which is what I'm doing at the moment actually) but that's just me.

you generally have to get pretty ripped to have a substantial hangover the next day, and you're right, from an employer's point of view, that's no good either.

While you may not feel hungover after a little blazing session the night before, you're also not going to be 100%, which is not good.

Nevermind the fact we're talking about an illegal substance. And while I enourage everyone to speak out against laws and regulations they feel to be unjust, I don't think ignoring them outright is the best way to make that statement.

[mr2mk1g 10]

If you want to do something that is illegal, complain that it's illegal, not that people take steps to catch you.

[akarunway 1]

Ok. This will prolly get moved to the speakers corner b4 it's over. So. I'm drinking a beer now because I CAN"T have one swat. I'm not talking about blazing away. I fight injustice. Trust me. I would much rather have a swat than alcohol. But because the powers that be make more money off the booze than the pot it will not change. At least in my lifetime.. Keep em all locked up in jail for snall drug offenses. $$$$$$$$$$$ to the state. Money money money

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[DrewEckhardt 0]

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is it that unreasonable to require your employees pass a drug test?

Yes provided they're not paying you extra for the ~128 hours/week you're not working for them.

[Conundrum 1]

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Big Brother is finding more ways to invade your privacy, especially if you want to break into the middle or upper class work force.

Your company doesnt want their employees doing drugs. How's that invading your privacy?

[Slappie 9]

If this is worrying you that much. I suggest not putting yourself in the situations to have to worry about it. Drug use is against the laws of the country you live in. The employer has a right to request that you do not partake in illegal substances before, after or during your employment with them.

Don't whine about it. I used to do massive amounts of illegal substances when I was in highschool and college. I wanted to be more then a "stoner" so I quit playing with the stuff.

edit using of hair for drug testing isn't something new. It's been around for many years. It's just cost prohibitive to some employers to use this method.

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[crwmike 0]

Quote

I believe only the rich companies can really do that! Only the companies who want to spend alot of money for that will be able to do it. I don't know, but to me most of them just don't care.
As I grow older and meet many people including cops, lawyers, doctors, and anyone you really would never think would ever do drugs.......do them!
All I can say is, everything in moderation! because it sure is fun.........

The driving force for employment drug testing (aside from yet another form of societal hysteria) is insurance rates. Insurance companies pretty much enforce the type and frequency of work place drug testing by varying their rates.

Pre-employment urine testing across the country varies between approximately $12 and $60 per test. The average is about $25 to $35 per test.

Pre-employment hair testing varies across the country between approximately $25 and $75 per test either alone or in combination with urine. The average is about $45 to $65 per test.

If the insurance savings exceed the increased cost, we will see more hair testing. Corporations and lawyers love hair testing. It's a great way to 'go fishing' and deny claims, benefits. Who knows, they just might find something. Much like Homeland Security, yes, they might, but the cost is measured in much more than dollars.

Impairment in the workplace is only marginally adressed by these strategies.

Michael

[skydiver30960 0]

I went in for a hair test for my last job, and the lady taking the sample said that they only test the amount of hair that (typically) represents the previous ninety days. This was important for me because I have long hair, and there is some history still stored up there, I figure.

She made it sound like they COULD test the whole hair if they felt like it, but they just checked the part closest to your head. She didn't say why.

I got the job, so I figure she was right.

Elvisio "clean living, dirty mind" Rodriguez

[captain1 0]

[Your company doesnt want their employees doing drugs. How's that invading your privacy?]

It invades your privacy when bible thumping CEOs, BODs, Politicians, and the Federal Govt. start dictating which professionals are qualified to own nice homes, own nice toys and put food on the table based on biological resumes that can detect every nook and cranny from A to Z over the last five years of your life regardless of how much moderation you exercise. As I said, gone are the days of being naughty once in a blue moon. I guess when I visit my relatives in Holland, I will never be able to go to a coffee shop and indulge in legal substances with family on the way to a futbol game.

[captain1 0]

I am whining for the masses. I do not have a problem taking a hair test. I know I will pass. However, I think hair testing is a bit excessive to become an industry employment standard.

[happythoughts 0]

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However, I think hair testing is a bit excessive to become an industry employment standard.

I don't think it will become that prevalent for the reason that it would catch people. Most industries do it for the insurance break. They don't really care at all.