Posted by rmshed on October 3, 2001, at 22:23:41
In reply to New job... drug test required and how to explain, posted by TomV on September 27, 2001, at 22:17:19
> I'm on the verge of possibly moving on to a new job. The job requires drug testing. I haven't told anyone in the interview process or on any application about my depression nor any meds that I'm taking (Celexa and xanax). I prefer not to say anything, but I'm afraid someone I report to will find out (don't know how likely this is, but I guess it's a possibility). I really don't want my superiors to have any preconceived notions about me before I even start the job.
> Should I say I'm taking the drugs for something like a "sleep disorder", or something that steers them away from the real reason? Or should I come clean? I don't think there's a chance of me not being able to perform my job and my employer accusing me of not telling the truth in the application process.
>
> Any advice on how to handle this dilema? I'm a financial professional in a supervisor position looking to move into a similar position.
>
> TomVXanax will show up on a drug test, I do not know this for sure, but when I took a drug test for a job,the Prozac that I take didn't show up on the test. The HR department just took me into a room and asked what medication that I was on. I told them Prozac. Which was the truth to some extent, they didn't ask for all of the medication I was on. The HR department didn't have a clue that Prozac wouldn't show up. I was never asked another question about it. I felt slightly violated when I was asked to tell them about my medications. Personally, I feel it was none of their business. This company had workers who wired telecommunication towers and their concern was the tower workers being on benzos and other drugs that would alter their balance or other physical side effects. I was told that the company drug policy had to be the same for all employees, but special consideration was taken for those who worked in the office. That made me feel a little bit better, but still....I now carry a small note on an rx slip that states that I am on Xanax for panic disorder. If an employer asks, the employer needs to take many things into consideration before he decides you may not be a good worker. I know I am an excellent worker and any employer that decides not to hire me because I take a medication for a reason that is not as socially acceptable as say insulin, is not worthy of my talent.
Good Luck.
poster:rmshed
thread:79772
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010927/msgs/80220.html