drug/alcohol screening for job applicants in the UK

steeljack · 14-03-2008, 03:33

just curious , but do employers in the UK send prospective employees for a drug/alcohol screen before offering employment ? would be interested to hear from both private and Govt/County/Borough employers and employees ....usually (I think) I can spot a user/abuser during a preliminary interview and toss the application into the "round file" and it saves wasting the money of a test , but how does it work in the UK with all the rules and regulations you seem to have .

(yep, I'm an old reactionary fascist pig who has a bias against tie-dye, long hair, tattoos and piercings.......but been there and done that

)

lettie · 14-03-2008, 07:04

The NHS don't routinely drug screen prospective employees. I have never been screened for either drugs or alcohol. In certain jobs, working with babies/children we are CRB checked to see if we have any previous offences against kids, sex offences etc.

jaysay · 14-03-2008, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by steeljack

just curious , but do employers in the UK send prospective employees for a drug/alcohol screen before offering employment ? would be interested to hear from both private and Govt/County/Borough employers and employees ....usually (I think) I can spot a user/abuser during a preliminary interview and toss the application into the "round file" and it saves wasting the money of a test , but how does it work in the UK with all the rules and regulations you seem to have .

(yep, I'm an old reactionary fascist pig who has a bias against tie-dye, long hair, tattoos and piercings.......but been there and done that

)

I'm afraid steeljack we have the good old European Human Rites Act in this country now

, can you imagine the uproar if firms were going to send would be employees just for a drug/alcohol test on its own

. Some firms may request a medical of applicants, but whether they do these test then, I don't know.

cashman · 14-03-2008, 10:58

never have to the best of my knowledge, like lettie says certain jobs like she says you have a Criminal background check, Hackney Taxi is one, yet Private Hire aint.

i asked at the time i got my hackney lic, the reason? they said cos Hackney are allowed to pick up anywhere,Private Hire aint.

and by the way Facist - ya wouldn't be giving me a job.

shillelagh · 14-03-2008, 15:04

Ive had to go for medicals and theyve took blood tests there. Dont know what for though. Had too many CRB checks to mention.

jaysay · 14-03-2008, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

never have to the best of my knowledge, like lettie says certain jobs like she says you have a Criminal background check, Hackney Taxi is one, yet Private Hire aint.

i asked at the time i got my hackney lic, the reason? they said cos Hackney are allowed to pick up anywhere,Private Hire aint.

and by the way Facist - ya wouldn't be giving me a job.

I think there is a differece between checking for Criminal background and screening for booze and drugs cashy, but I agree with you on the private hire and Hackney, its a joke, they both pick up people and therefore should be vetted, mind you I do think that a person applying for a private hre licence they have to proe they are a fit and prope person to hold a licence

yerself · 14-03-2008, 19:45

And look what happened to one of Hyndburn's ex-Taxi Enforcement Officers. And this is the kind of person who (or used to) ensure our taxi and private-hire drivers are of good character.

8 June - Man Accused of £29k Fraud - Robin Hargreaves is to appear before Burnley Crown Court accused of fraudulently obtaining £29,114 from his employer Hyndburn Council. Hargreaves of Accrington worked in the licensing department and allegedly claimed that he had collected lesser amounts for licences than he had actually collected. He will appear on 27 June for committal proceedings

Sara · 14-03-2008, 21:07

I work for County and no we don't have drug/alcohol screening. I had to have a medical which was laughable. After been in the job for a couple of weeks my boss asked did i have any medical reasons why i couldn't do my job. That was the medical.

garinda · 15-03-2008, 00:05

I've never heard of anyone being routinely screened for drugs, when applying for a job.

From my years in the smoke, working in the decadent world of fashion, I think screening would mean you ain't got the job, if the test comes back negative.

slinky · 15-03-2008, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

never have to the best of my knowledge, like lettie says certain jobs like she says you have a Criminal background check, Hackney Taxi is one, yet Private Hire aint.

i asked at the time i got my hackney lic, the reason? they said cos Hackney are allowed to pick up anywhere,Private Hire aint.

and by the way Facist - ya wouldn't be giving me a job.

YOU do have to have a CRB for Private hire. Ginger had to have one for private hire. He has a duel badge now... but I know he had to be CRB for private hire.

garinda · 15-03-2008, 00:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by slinky

YOU do have to have a CRB for Private hire. Ginger had to have one for private hire. He has a duel badge now... but I know he had to be CRB for private hire.

I had twelve taxis last week, to Burnley hospital, and never had Ginger once, or go to see his badges.

steeljack · 15-03-2008, 00:27

I would have thought anyone applying for a job in a dangerous environment (refiney/chemical plant , steel erection etc.) would be liable for a test just for insurance liability ........not that they do much good , any coke or meth-head just lays off for a few days and drinks a load of cranberry juice to cover up any traces and then once they get hired its back to their old tricks

slinky · 15-03-2008, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I had twelve taxis last week, to Burnley hospital, and never had Ginger once, or go to see his badges.

TUT TUT .... ****** lugs, stop listening to them voices

If it was during the day, he don't start work til 5:30pm, so that's why you didn't see him

If you ever have a night appointment, it will be him

steeljack · 15-03-2008, 00:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I've never heard of anyone being routinely screened for drugs, when applying for a job.

From my years in the smoke, working in the decadent world of fashion, I think screening would mean you ain't got the job, if the test comes back negative.

and heres me thinking that the white stuff around Naomi Campbells nose meant that she had been doing the ironing and sniffing the spray starch

cashman · 15-03-2008, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by slinky

YOU do have to have a CRB for Private hire. Ginger had to have one for private hire. He has a duel badge now... but I know he had to be CRB for private hire.

ah i got me hackney in 1980, private hire it didn't apply then slinks. twas the offices up St James St ya had to go then n they were who i asked.