Drug test and jobs....

bluwillo said:

Thanks!
Your answers are a great comfort to me. For awhile after my dx, I regretted every time I "just said no", figured, WTH, I shoulda been a druggie, all this living good didn't get me a pass on cancer. Of course, I realized that I was just EXPLODING with anger....and too scared to be a druggie! LOL at the "crazy illegal drug user"! They all live in another county!!!

Ritzy said:

I am not for sure, but, I
I am not for sure, but, I would think your employer or future employer will know your results. Then, they can decide if they want to hire you, or, if you are still working for them, what their next step will be for you. I don't think your results are as secret as some people think.

Sue

Ritzy said:

NO! But, if your employer
NO! But, if your employer is seeking this drug test for his employees, wouldn't it make sense that he is the one that will know? I really don't know about this testing New Flower. I know it exists, but, I never had it done, nor, anyone that I know as of yet. I was just offering my opinion.

Sue

New Flower said:

Sue
I hope you did not mean that I have no chances. I still hope to keep it secret. My question was how?

CypressCynthia said:

Secret?
When I have interviewed for a job, my health has never come up. I have been offered jobs at least 3 X since diagnosis in 1987 and it just doesn't even come up.

Sometimes, when you are offered a chance to apply for extra insurance or disability, it then comes up. I always tell the truth, and sometimes have been ok'd and sometimes (more recently) have been denied (extra policies only).

But I have never been denied health insurance or the standard group life insurance policies. I was even ok'd 2 years ago for an extra life insurance policy after my heart attack! Could not get the supplemental short term disability, but I do have longterm disability.

Each time, I have applied for a hospital based job (I am a NP). If you are going to work for a large employer, I don't think you will have a problem. However, I can't advise about smaller employers--I just don't know.

SamuraiMom said:

ADA Laws
Hi Love,

You are protected as a breast cancer patient under the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA). The employer absolutely cannot make a hiring decision based on that information.

Does it happen? Yes.

If an employer is dumb enough to tell you they can't hire you because you have/had breast cancer, please call an attorney and sue. (sounds extreme but seriously, it's the law) I mean this tongue in cheek of course but there are still plenty of idiots out there as we all know.

Typically companies should only request a physical until after you are offered a job to avoid discrimination.

The purpose of the physical is to determine that you are able to meet the physical requirements of the job. i.e. lifting, etc. It is not meant to screen folks out on circumstances not related directly to the job.

That doesn't mean however that they can't let you go immediately after discovering something they don't like.

But whether we want to accept it or not, once an employer uncovers something that could potentially affect productivity in their minds, they may give you another reason as to why you were not chosen for the position if you are turned down.

You know the one, "You're not the right 'fit'".

If an HR rep is stupid enough to ask you about it in an interview, let them know that this experience has given you a unique perspective that most other employees or applicants do not have. Breast cancer survival has taught you patience, perseverance, flexibility and resiliance.

Navigating through frustrating situations with creativity and team work has made you a better candidate than you were before the breast cancer.

If they don't hire you after that speech, screw 'em!

Hope this helps!

xxoo,
SamuraiMom

GregStahl said:

You need
to take the meds you are currently on with you, but the testing lab can only give out the results of the test, not the medical history you give them.
GOOD LUCK and I hope you get the job!!!!!!

New Flower said:

Thank for posting this question
Any suggestions for physical examination? I am in a similar situation. As far as understand If I get an offer I have to do full physical in addition to drug testing. I am concern about discrimination. I know by the law they cannot to do it. But the law was broken many times or avoided and we have read posts on this board. How do you handle medical questionary and doctor who does physical for a new employer? How to not to talk about mastectomy when it is obvious?
Thanks for ideas

greyhoundluvr said:

Bluwillo -
My company runs drug tests every time we hire and Greg is correct. They will ask you to report any drugs that you are taking, not only in case they show up on the test (which is usually only conducted for controlled substantces, not medical conditions) but also in case they can cause a false positive. As the hiring manager, the only information that I got was a pass/fail - I never got any personal medical information. The only way I knew if an applicant had medical conditions was if they volunteered the information during the interview - for example, some would tell me why they were out of work during a certain period of time. This is not a question that I would, or could, ever ask. I'm sure that there are some companies out there that may not play by the "rules" but I'm wishing you the best that your secondinterview goes well!