working for amazon

abertawe1

morning all, i went for an induction at a local recriutment office yesterday for a job picking and packing at amazon in swansea .i have to say it was a bit disorganised for instance you had to do a written test then fill in a load of forms then have a urine drugs test followed by a breatherliser test .iwas there about two hours then was told they would get back intouch with me if i failed the written test ,so why not check them there and then and save everyone a lot of time .anyway just wondering if anyone have been to one of these inductions and how long before you get a start with amazon .;)

cowsnhope

I have been a regular customer with Amazon for years and am really shocked to find that they give prospective employees urine and breatherliser tests; I wonder if they do this to their staff routinely as well. I'm surprised this is legal and I'm a bit unhappy about continuing to shop with them. I'm also rather concerned that if this is ok legally that it might become more normal.

scooby088

I have applied for this via an agency it does state on the agency site that drug and alcohol tests are done, I do believe they are legal to perform as i recall the place my sister works at were thinking of introducing this to her place of work.

aliasojo

cowsnhope wrote: »

I have been a regular customer with Amazon for years and am really shocked to find that they give prospective employees urine and breatherliser tests; I wonder if they do this to their staff routinely as well. I'm surprised this is legal and I'm a bit unhappy about continuing to shop with them.

Can I ask why you find this so offputting?

Many companies have random or spot checks such as these.

Imo, I'd be happy for these to happen as it ensures workers are not under the effects of being high or drunk either at work, or shortly before.

scooby088

aliasojo wrote: »

Can I ask why you find this so offputting?

Many companies have random or spot checks such as these.

Imo, I'd be happy for these to happen as it ensures workers are not under the effects of being high or drunk either at work, or shortly before.

The only problem i have with this is that working life is dictating how you live you private life. I don't take drugs or drink but there are some precribed drugs that could appear on the drugs test, so how would that be dealt with.

abertawe1

i am not against drug tests its just the way the agency goes about the induction why not do the breathalyzer as soon as you get to the induction if you fail theres no need to fill in pointless forms and no need to to the written test .the same with the urine test,by the way whats the point of the breathylyzer test could they refuse you employment because you. had a drink the night before the induction .there is one reason i suppose i am against it before employment if you fail it in the induction you dont have the right to appeal .i dont see why they should have the right to know all the medication you are taking.by the way if you are on any medication you have got to take copies of prescriptions for them to see .;)

aliasojo

scooby088 wrote: »

The only problem i have with this is that working life is dictating how you live you private life. I don't take drugs or drink but there are some precribed drugs that could appear on the drugs test, so how would that be dealt with.

You are asked if you are taking any prescribed medication. That is taken into account.

It's not like the Olympics where you're not allowed any drug of any kind in your system.

Notmyrealname

cowsnhope wrote: »

I have been a regular customer with Amazon for years and am really shocked to find that they give prospective employees urine and breatherliser tests; I wonder if they do this to their staff routinely as well. I'm surprised this is legal and I'm a bit unhappy about continuing to shop with them. I'm also rather concerned that if this is ok legally that it might become more normal.

I used to work for a parcel company and they used to randomly drug test us. Nobody minded. Do you want a drug addict working in a business handling high value stuff that can be easily concealed in a pocket?

Notmyrealname

scooby088 wrote: »

The only problem i have with this is that working life is dictating how you live you private life. I don't take drugs or drink but there are some precribed drugs that could appear on the drugs test, so how would that be dealt with.

Prescribed drugs are not tested for. It is pretty much confined to opiates. And every company I have ever worked for class being drunk at work as Gross Misconduct.

Believe me, when you see how manic it is in the warehouse with the forklifts and the belts and other packing machinery it will become immediately obvious why you do not want someone who is on drugs or drink in there.

scooby088

Notmyrealname wrote: »

I used to work for a parcel company and they used to randomly drug test us. Nobody minded. Do you want a drug addict working in a business handling high value stuff that can be easily concealed in a pocket?

A bit of a generalisation really think all drug addicts steal to feed their habit, what about those addicted to prescibed medication?

Plus any company that deals with high value stuff have searches at the end of shift and breaktimes too.

DVardysShadow

Notmyrealname wrote: »

It is pretty much confined to opiates.

Poppy seed cake. Avoid poppyseed cake.