"I don't know whether to feel misled or stupid.... Any of you have any th..."
So i recently was deciding between two jobs i was offered. A brief synopsis is i am a CO resident and i use marijuana sleeping tablets to help with insomnia. I recently had two job offers: one from a CO company and one from a national company based in TX. When deciding between the two offers one of the companies was doing a drug test. Instead of trying to fake results i was honest with the company with the higher offer. I explained that i take THC sleeping pills and would test dirty and asked specifically if it would preclude me from employment. The HR onboarding person told me he would check with management and get back to me regarding it. (this offer had substantially more money) The text i received the next day:
"I spoke with my management and they let me know the marijuana would get flagged, but is not an automatic fail and something you could work through with compliance, especially being in Colorado. Did you have any thoughts on the offer"
The onboarder was informed at the beginning of the conversation was told the circumstances of the use and that i did not have a medical card, because i did not need one in CO prior to me receiving that text.
Fast forward a week later i told the onboarder that i had completed my background check and taken the drug screen which would come back positive. After that i received a text message:
"You will still need to write a letter of explanation fir that and we will have to run it by compliance and up the flag pole. Just pust as much detail as possible and i will make sure we escalated to the right people."
The next day i receive a call from the person i would be reporting to and i informed her that i had spoken with the onboarder regarding this and they are aware.
Fast forward to today 3 days before i start working for them i receive a call for the onboarder that says "We are sorry but due to the failed drug test we can no longer move forward with your offer."
My question for you is: am i an idiot for disclosing this and not just trying to beat the drug test? Am i an idiot for trusting the onboarder and not getting anything in writing outside of a text message? Do you feel that this was misleading at all by the offering company to tell me this is something that could get worked out by compliance and then giving me a blanket rejection once i submitted the requesting LOE?
Not sure if any of you have had any experiences with anything like this? As a sidenote i do not do any other drugs or drink. I am a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for 2 1/2 years and i quit both my jobs. The person from the recruiting agency is trying to speak with them regarding this but at this point i just quit two jobs thinking i was starting a new one on Monday and now i am unemployed.
1. "Why does this feel like a lawyer thing?" In response to Reply # 0
I'm mad for you.
I mean, the law is the law, but at the same time, if its legal where you are, that company would be stupid to assume candidates from other states where marijuana is legal would not be using it.
I think you did the right thing by disclosing it - because, if things enter a place where this escalates or some action needs to be taken you can say with certainty that you disclosed your situation 100%.
That said, I'd either maybe consider calling a lawyer (again, the law IS the law, it's illegal there but legal where you are) or not taking that no for an answer. Run that shit up the chain and have a bald ass honest discussion about the fuck-shit they are trying to play. Make them THINK about how they are in a dumb position if they want top talent but don't want to budge on their position. In the US, there are now only 16 states left where marijuana use is neither recreational or medicinal.
Now, I have no idea what sort of work this is. It could be one of those jobs where they have to be tough on use because of fears of taking a hit due to some liabilities. But, if this is a job where you're not working a forklift, a bus or an airplane, not on a roof, or a factory floor...what the fuck man?
It could also be some behind the scenes political fuckery and you were on the line and they used weed as a convenient way to move on you.
13. "I think he takes THC pills (since he's in CO), instead of CBD" In response to Reply # 3
The urine tests for marijuana only measure the THC (or some form of it) levels present, so when and where it came from wouldn't be evident.
Admitting to use makes it kinda hard to get out of. I'd have said nothing and then claimed I maybe accidentally ate some of the wrong cookies at a party of something.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Thu Oct-22-20 05:45 AM
4. "You fucked up. Never admit to that shit" In response to Reply # 0
even if you failed the test... lol.
My coworker has been hinting about smoking for months. I say nothing and trust no one.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
16. "This still the move TBH" In response to Reply # 4
it's not legal everywhere, and not legal federally. For example by admitting what you admitted to your employer, someone applying for citizenship could have their application rejected. Its' weird times, in that it feels like there's been a lot of progress and it's all pretty open now, but there's still weird parts of our country where it's 1920's prohibition mentality.
In a generation of swine, the one-eyed pig is king. -Hunter S. Thompson
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Thu Oct-22-20 08:13 AM
8. "RE: damn, that's got to hurt..." In response to Reply # 5
> > >next time, don't say shit...and don't quit until you know for >sure that you got the next...
I had to walk around my last job holding my tongue until those results came in.
Once I passed I emailed my resignation effective IMMEDIATELY!!!
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
11. "I never admit to anything that goes against my self-interests" In response to Reply # 0 Thu Oct-22-20 09:36 AM by flipnile
Okay, that's not 100% true. I do with friends and family because they ain't gonna fuck my life up if they hear something they don't like.
But not in the .gov, corporate and law enforcement worlds.
Had something similar happen years ago at Staples of all places. Didn't even take a test yet, but my dumb ass checked the "have you ever used..." box, and they rejected me just off that.
15. "that's funny, YEARS ago in military boot camp they have what they call....." In response to Reply # 11
"the moment of truth"
when you first get there they get in your face and say you better admit anything illegal you've ever done that we don't already know or didn't tell your recruiter or we'll eventually find out and your life will be over blah, blah, blah...cats were breaking down telling shit they did 2-3 years ago and losing their contractual guarantees lol...once you get to that point they've already done basic background checks and drug screens, if they didn't find out anything from that you're good but it's one of the first of many mindfucks you go through lol
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Thu Oct-22-20 10:56 AM
18. "When doctors ask before drawing blood" In response to Reply # 14
Nooooope. Never doc
They prolly looking at my blood work like.. “stop lyin’”
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
21. "So after thinking about it i am still 50/50" In response to Reply # 0
First off the reason for the honesty two weeks ago was to make the decision easier. If company A had said they would not overlook the drug test then it makes the decision simple go with company B where i know there will be no problems. Problem is that company A has about 50K on the table and said that it would not be an automatic fail and the "especially in Colorado" part seemed to me like their HR knew what was up and had exceptions ready for it. I have been in the mortgage industry for 12 years in varying levels of position and management so i did not think this was too odd. I choose the money and am keeping everything moving to start on Monday. They have shipped my equipment and get a call that says they spoke with their compliance and "there is no way to overlook the drug test."
I don't know what changed from exception allowable two weeks ago to we can not overlook, but i fucked up in the long run because i am unemployed. I have reached out to the CO company to see if they have anything and the initial recruiter is on the case. I am disheartened but will get over it and i feel better about myself that i was honest then trying to get over, but man i wish they had just said nope no marijuana and let me move on.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Fri Oct-23-20 12:42 PM
24. "I feel for you but you fucked this up" In response to Reply # 21
One question. How long did you know about this test? Did you have at least 21 days to prep for the drug test or did they spring it on you at the last minute?
I have and if I’m thinking about changing gigs I’m not inhaling a damn thing.
Just make sure the next time you have a gig lined up. Don’t say shit.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
22. "Never make any move before you receive a FIRM offer. " In response to Reply # 0
Even at my current job, I had zero issues, did the background check which maybe only had one minor thing on it, and I still didn't resign until they gave me a firm offer. Fuck that preliminary shit. And three days before you were supposed to onboard? They didn't handle that well.
Just know that you never let go of one gig until the next gig is sure. ______________________________________________________________________________
25. "You have to get them pregnant with you before you tell them you are preg..." In response to Reply # 0
The rights that employees have, aren't rights available to interviewees or potential employees.
If you had a job and were fired because you failed a drug test, you would have a stronger case and argument that you are being discriminated against because of your medical condition. I am not sure interviewees have the same claim.
Sorry to hear brother. I think the lesson is lie, try to beat it, and if you don't beat it say you have a medical condition and a note from a doctor that allows you to use the weeds.
********** "Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson
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