Should I stay or go?

Savvy_Sue

cazziebo wrote: »

Just to reinforce how draconian this is, there is no argument against a failed drug test with many employers. These tests are used by many of the major utility companies and contracts of employment amended to reflect that instant dismissal will be the result. Ironically, one organisation I know makes only one exception and that is for alcohol abuse, where counselling is offered.

So, in Scottishlass's defence, this might have been the first time ever, and the test will still have shown positive. It is not indicative of any long term issue, and ridiculously, long term drug abusers will not be detected if they have not injected or snorted in the past 30 hours.

It is very unfair. If she'd had her fingers in the till, or was completely incompetent, she would have had a more lenient judgement and potential to appeal

Thanks. Just wondering, could she also have got a positive result if she hadn't actually smoked the stuff but just been in a smokey room? I ask because a colleague was picked out by the sniffer dogs on a prison visit, and DH always seems to get the 3rd degree going through airport security. In neither case are they drug users, but they come into contact with users through work!

BitterAndTwisted

Sniffer dogs are highly trained, as we all know, and can detect miniscule amounts of drug residue on clothing and hair. If you've been in the same room as someone smoking dope and haven't showered and changed they can detect it. That's nothing like undergoing a drugs test where they take either blood or hair-samples.

I'm not judging either. I've worked in the media for most of my adult life and it's seen as quite normal/unremarkable. Even doing it while you're working, too . I know a couple of highly qualified lawyers who used to go out clubbing at the weekends off their faces on Es.

OP: you are in a very, very fortunate position, really. It might be the end of one thing but it could be a whole vista of new possibilities and new beginnings. You own your own home. You can squeeze by just as you are for a bit. Maybe longer than a bit if necessary. Time to think and put a plan together. Maybe if you have savings you could head down to London for a while if you can afford to rent somewhere rather than going to your partner. Even with a doggy it's not out of the question. Not all employers judge this sort of one-off mistake. They honestly don't.

Think about how you can use that professional qualification and your experience in other ways, even if you can't regain it, that's something than an employer could make use of.

doodoot

Bad luck OP.

And to answer the question about passive smoking showing in a test, no it isn't possible due to the cut-off point in concentration level detection.

OP, is it possible to get the certification back at some time?

Is there a certain amount of time that has to elapse before reapplying for it?

Is it possible to get on to an agency's books in your line of work?

Obviously you will have to admit in future job applications to being fired and the reasons why as the company reference will state it - highlight the fact that it was a one-off stupid act which occurred out of working hours and 2 days before the working week began.

Good luck.

DS4215

Have you spoken to the professional body whose qualification you have lost? - It might be that they have procedures in place for such a situation and you might be able to get it back.

flutterby_lil

scottishlass72 wrote: »

Is it really so difficult not to judge? I know what I did was wrong but do I really deserve to lose my whole career that I studied for years for? I was at a party, not at work when I did what I did. I didn't cause any safety issues. I smoked a very small part of a joint on a Friday night and it was 48 hours before I was back at work.

I'm asking if it's really seen so negatively because if I ever am going to get my career back I need to know how to explain what I did to potential future employers. Thank you for all the answers so far.

You smoked the drug knowing the consequences and that you could possibly risk your job and career.

victory

flutterby_lil wrote: »

You smoked the drug knowing the consequences and that you could possibly risk your job and career.

I have to agree on this sure you were very unlucky following what happened you were but you knew what would happen if you were randomly drug tested, I have a very dear friend that always says about anything to do with driving (getting points,caught for speeding, drink driving etc) because his sole income is having his driving license clean , he knows if he got caught his job/lifestyle, the whole pack of cards would fall down around him that is why he never drinks and drives, never speeds etc...............

doodoot

Come on guys, OP has lost their job and certification and hasn't whinged about the fact they got caught out - if I'm wrong and have missed it somewhere, then ignore that last bit.

Last thing OP needs is loads of comments filled with smugness and finger pointing..."tough on you, you've paid the price".

A bit of sympathy wouldn't go amiss.

elantan

not wanting to throw any spanners in the works here ... but when you said you hadnt been tested before ... and you have stated that this was a total one off ( giving me the impression it was possibly your first time) is it possible that someone reported you? someone found out you were smoking and decided to report you for whatever reason

RAS

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Thanks. Just wondering, could she also have got a positive result if she hadn't actually smoked the stuff but just been in a smokey room? I ask because a colleague was picked out by the sniffer dogs on a prison visit, and DH always seems to get the 3rd degree going through airport security. In neither case are they drug users, but they come into contact with users through work!

Quite possible - in fact if around people who are smoking a small amount will enter the lungs and will test positive - dope for about a month after ingestion. One of the reasons prisoners use harder drugs where testing is routine is because the lifespan is limited whilst using dope almost inevitably gets picked up.

Given how sensitive sniffer doog's noses are, I would also expect anyone who has been in contact (like shaking hands) with heavy users to have enough aroma for a dog to express interest.

Edit - one person who was picked up in a gulf state for possession had a minute grain in the tread of his shoes from a club.

System

Please dont jump into a full time relationship because you think its the only option you have... Given time, stands a chance you will regret it.