Pre-Employment Drug Testing
Question: Recently, I was asked to take a drug test before the job offer was made. My husband was asked to take a drug test and references were checked before a job offer was made from a separate company. I thought there needed to be a contingent job offer first. Am I confused?
RESPONSE:
The contingent job offer was implemented after ADA came into effect in 1990. An offer should be made before sending a candidate for a pre-employment physical. A contingent offer of employment is not required for a drug test that is a part of the screening process. Thinking that a drug test is similar to a physical, many companies implemented a contingent job offer before sending people for drug tests as a conservative measure to comply with ADA.
So the short answer is that a contingent job offer is not required for a pre-employment drug test.
Thanks for Asking Bob