5

I got an offer letter from an employer that said my employement is contingent on a successful background check. There is no mention of drug screening anywhere. Do employers have to explicitly state that there will be drug screening or is this already implied by the mentioning of "background checks."

Improve this question
7
  • They would typically list out drug screening. For privacy reasons (at least in the US) they often to not drug test until employment.
    – paparazzo
    Feb 10, 2016 at 1:58
  • If you are not in the US you can assume No.
    – DJClayworth
    Feb 10, 2016 at 4:11
  • I am in the USA, so is there a law that requires it to be said?
    – egeg7
    Feb 10, 2016 at 4:36
  • Let me guess... you're worried because you had a high-school reunion last weekend :D
    – Radu Murzea
    Feb 10, 2016 at 12:29
  • 2
    Because in every developed nation except the US, nobody does drug tests as a condition of employment unless it's clearly necessary for the job. Doing so without a good reason is considered a violation of privacy.
    – DJClayworth
    Feb 10, 2016 at 18:16

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
8

Short answer: It's possible.

The thing to take into consideration is the type of job and industry you are in. If you are taking a job where having no drugs (such as heavy machinery operator and many government jobs), then there is likely an implication that yes, there would be a drug test. Other industries such as retail normally would have no such requirement.

Otherwise, well it's up to the company. There is no universal standard definition of "background checks", it can mean whatever the company decides it means. So my advice is, if you think that having drugs in your system may adversely affect your chances of passing background checks, then you should get off them as soon as possible to minimise the risk of losing the job.

Improve this answer
6

Do employers have to explicitly state that there will be drug screening or is this already implied by the mentioning of "background checks."

I don't believe in the US there is a federal law requiring that they warn you ahead of time that the "background check" will include a drug test. And each state has their own laws. See: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/employee-rights-book/chapter5-3.html

That said, every time I have encountered a situation where a drug test was to be performed, I was actually notified ahead of time.

If this is a situation that could be dicey for you, you should prepare as if you will be drug tested - whether it is mentioned ahead of time or not.

Improve this answer
6

"Background check" can include lots of things, but not necessarily any particular thing. I've had jobs where it has meant a criminal background check, a credit check, or just a reference check, without including a drug screening. However, as already indicated, that doesn't mean that a drug test isn't a possibility.

To be really sure, you need to check with the potential employer. Of course, just coming out and saying something like "Hey, does this background check include a drug test?" could be a red flag to the employer. However, if you phrase the question correctly, you may able to find out what is entailed in the background check - a query along the lines of "I want to facilitate this process as much as possible, what do I need to do to complete my background check?" may allow you to find out if a drug test is required without raising suspicions.

Improve this answer
4

is this already implied by the mentioning of "background checks."

Not usually, but don't take any chances, stop smoking any dodgy herbiage or whatever else it is you're worried about for a while.

Improve this answer
6
  • Not strictly true. The OP hasn't mentioned industry, type of job. It might be standard for that particular job.
    – Jane S
    Feb 10, 2016 at 1:20
  • 1
    Yep, hence the second part of my sentence and the qualification on the first part.
    – Kilisi ♦
    Feb 10, 2016 at 1:22
  • So what you are saying is my employer does not have to tell me about any possible drug screening in my offer letter, but still can drug test me
    – egeg7
    Feb 10, 2016 at 1:29
  • 1
    Yes, they can only mention the drug test right before you take it if they want, it's up to them. Unless it's mandatory for the industry as Jane mentioned
    – Kilisi ♦
    Feb 10, 2016 at 1:32
  • 3
    @egeg7 "Background checks" can mean anything that the company wishes it to be.
    – Jane S
    Feb 10, 2016 at 1:32

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .