Drug testing in the IT industry

**SMOKEU** · 11th November 2013, 17:34

I thought I'd ask in this sub forum, since many of you work in this industry. So, if it's a fairly regular entry level office type IT job that doesn't involve working around heavy machinery or driving, is it common for employers to do random drug testing, or to request a drug test pre-employment? Is it a topic that employers are likely to bring up, even with no reason to believe that someone uses illegal substances?

**benhall** · 11th November 2013, 17:41

not that ive ever heard of

imo you should be able to do as you please as long as does not effect your performance at work, if so someone should just sit you down and talk it thru and get you some help

**onearmedbandit** · 11th November 2013, 18:09

Some insurance companies are now asking for drug tests due to all types of workplace accidents.

**Kickaha** · 11th November 2013, 18:19

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

is it common for employers to do random drug testing, or to request a drug test pre-employment?

Yes it is, we do a drug test as part of a pre employment medical and so do a lot of other industries, wouldn't have picked IT to be one of them though

**SMOKEU** · 11th November 2013, 18:28

SWIM just about scored a job today at a very large company, then upon being handed the contract to look at, SWIM was told that a drug test would be required in a few days and if it doesn't come back negative for all drugs, then SWIM won't get the job. SWIM didn't get the job.

I sort of expect drug tests for jobs that are "dangerous" (fuck drug tests, but I don't want to turn this thread into a big debate about the ethics of employers being able to tell what people can and can't do in their spare time, we already have another thread for that), but I was surprised to find out that this is required for an office type job. So if it's not really the norm in this line of work, the SWIM should probably be happy not to work for a bunch of hypocritical pricks like the unnamed company in question.

**jellywrestler** · 11th November 2013, 19:12

fuck if they did drug test for prozac no one would get through in the IT industry i'm sure

**haydes55** · 11th November 2013, 21:09

Wouldn't expect so. But like several businesses in the recession, the cheapest way to downsize is to drug test staff. No long drawn out firings, no redundancy payouts.

**jellywrestler** · 11th November 2013, 21:23

Originally Posted by haydes55

Wouldn't expect so. But like several businesses in the recession, the cheapest way to downsize is to drug test staff. No long drawn out firings, no redundancy payouts.

what if they also race speedway?

**mashman** · 11th November 2013, 21:35

I've never heard of anyone being tested, but no doubt it'll be a future requirement to weed out the non-compliants.

**haydes55** · 11th November 2013, 21:38

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

what if they also race speedway?

then only smoke P

**Madness** · 11th November 2013, 21:45

Originally Posted by haydes55

then only smoke P

And legal highs, prescription drugs, kava, nutmeg, datura, magic mushrooms, more legal highs (before the race) and half a glass of beer.

**Gremlin** · 12th November 2013, 01:43

Haven't come across it, don't have the requirement personally either. Then again, the boss knows I don't drink/drugs etc.

Depends what the "office" job is really. If we're working on a server/firewall/system (which can be done remotely from the office) and it's late at night, the first stupid mistake (no matter how small) is the last. A lot of very important things can be undone (in very severe ways) when not paying enough attention...

**swbarnett** · 12th November 2013, 05:02

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Haven't come across it, don't have the requirement personally either. Then again, the boss knows I don't drink/drugs etc.

Depends what the "office" job is really. If we're working on a server/firewall/system (which can be done remotely from the office) and it's late at night, the first stupid mistake (no matter how small) is the last. A lot of very important things can be undone (in very severe ways) when not paying enough attention...

Exactly. And you don't need to be on drugs for that to happen. I know of one case where all the company's Solaris servers (70 at the time, a lot of which were mission critical) were taken down at once just because a program was rolled out without being properly tested.