Work drug test UK, prescription drugs rights

itsthelittlethings

I would tell them because it’s probably going to show up and it’s better to tell them before than after. Especially if it’s a low dose they ought to be supportive of you, you’re turning your life around and making progress. Do you see a doctor or nurse who can write you a letter to say you’re safe to do the work you’re doing while taking the methadone?

prettyandfluffy

You should be give a copy of their Drugs & Alcohol policy, if not you can request it (you could ask for other things such as pension scheme or sickness policy to make it less obvious).  I worked in a company doing safety critical work where random d&a testing was routinely carried out.  I was on prescription opioids which I declared to my manager, my work was adjusted to remove any risks that could arise and when I was d&a tested the result came back as "non-negative" which meant "positive for an accepted reason" and I was ok.  One of my colleagues tested positive for cannabis and was dismissed without notice, so do declare it but read the d&a policy first.

Brie

I would get a prescripton from your doctor's surgery (as in the list you take to the chemist) and take that along.  Offer it to them before the test with a question "would you like to see the prescriptions I'm on?"   If they say no then in my opinion they have little comeback if your test shows something as you did offer the information.  That said if their health and safety programme prohibits heavy machinery being operated by someone on a particular drug then there might not be a way around it.  

They may also be realistic and supportive about things.  You might be in some sort of training for a couple of weeks during which time your dose may be reduced that would bring you in line with their safety policy.  

I've never been in a role that did drug testing but have worked with people who have drink/drug problems, some of which have been declared to the employer.  As there were no health and safety or other concerns these weren't considered an issue beyond referring the individuals for help.  I've known one person who was dismissed with immediate effect as she showed up to work clearly under the influence of alcohol and possibly other substances.  I think that everyone would agree that is not acceptable whether there's machinery involved or not.  

Hopefully the employer will know that methadone is a treatment and not in itself a problem.  Best of luck and here's hoping you have a new successful career.

EnPointe

Beetrootz said:

Hello, 
Regarding drug test at new jobs induction, if former addict in methadone rehabilitation program (low dose) will you be dismissed? 

1) do you have to declare the prescribed prescription prior to test ? Incase it shows up?
2) would they even test for methadone ? Job is ground worker so health and safety with machinery etc 
3) do you have rights to privacy? As not wanting to disclose drug addiction to new employee as in recovery and it’s got a lot of stigma. 

4) are you protected by any laws ? 

Any advice appreciated.  Thank you. 

1.  yes the preamble for such tests requires you  declare  prescribed  meds especially  Opiates and Benzos 
2. Yes  - opiates are routinely tested in  such tests 
3. Yes   it;s an occupational Health matter there  are likely to be circumstances with  a named person in HR  needs to know, the line manager Needs to Know and a Senior Manager needs to know .  not disclosuing is a probity  and integrity issue  and  also  negates legal protections  under Equality act  2010
4.  Addication may be considere4d a disability under the Equality  Act 2010 

additionally  this should have been declared in  occy health screening  on appointment 

EnPointe

Beetrootz said:

teaselMay said:

Beetrootz said:

Says that if you declare a dependancy to employee before test then they can support you, but if you declare it after they’ve asked for test /get positive result they won’t help. 

You've answered your own question there. 

But the issue is a couple of things
is methadone maintenance considered a “dependancy”? As not actively using illegal drugs so have no dependency.  It’s a prescribed drug for past issue.  The dependancy section  was worded if you declare a dependency to drugs / alcohol they will help you.  But don’t have an addiction to illegal drugs or alcohol.  

2nd point was, couldn’t declare prescribed medication before they asked for a test, as the test was only requested in a job offer letter.  

This drug & alcohol policy relates to all employees having random tests across the time they are there, so if you were already employed.  Then called for a drug test it would be too late to tell them.  Plan to be off it asap as on reduction plan.    

I was also advised that you don’t have to declare health conditions by law? In a drug rehabilitation forum.  

If they directly asked if take any medication that causes you issues with health and safety wouldn’t lie.  Will have to speak to dispenser.  

Maybe it’s all a pipe dream.  It’s an amazing opportunity and feel one so well to fall as the final hurdle after securing an amazing career that would be life changing.  

yes   harm reducation therapies are considered a dependency 

yes you can declare prescribed medication before the test , the preamble ot such tests  ( previously worked ina role where 'random ' testing were a contractural  thing but  generally  it was post incident or  for cause testing , each time the test was done   there  was a form to complete 

you can choose not to declare a health condition, but if iti  discovered  and is against policies  or  contributes to an incident you  are unlikely to be able to  request  reasonable adjustments or use it in mitigation , where if it;s declared  to  Occy health  via HR  immediately   it become relevant ( e.g. on appointment or diagnosis) 

 failure to disclopse is a probity and integirty matter and  that will get you  the sack 

QrizB

EnPointe said:

 2. Yes  - opiates are routinely tested in  such tests

A friend of mine used to work in Occupational Health. The organisation did workplace drug tests.

The urine dip sticks they used would throw an "opiates" line if the person being tested had been eating poppy-seeded bread. They're that sensitive.

A non-negative test (they weren't allowed to call them "positive") would see the sample being sent off to a proper drugs lab where they would fingerprint exactly what was in the sample. This would let them tell prescription drugs (or poppy seeds) apart from recreational substances.

DullGreyGuy

Beetrootz said:

teaselMay said:

Beetrootz said:

Says that if you declare a dependancy to employee before test then they can support you, but if you declare it after they’ve asked for test /get positive result they won’t help. 

You've answered your own question there. 

But the issue is a couple of things
is methadone maintenance considered a “dependancy”? As not actively using illegal drugs so have no dependency.  It’s a prescribed drug for past issue.  The dependancy section  was worded if you declare a dependency to drugs / alcohol they will help you.  But don’t have an addiction to illegal drugs or alcohol.  

2nd point was, couldn’t declare prescribed medication before they asked for a test, as the test was only requested in a job offer letter.  

This drug & alcohol policy relates to all employees having random tests across the time they are there, so if you were already employed.  Then called for a drug test it would be too late to tell them.  Plan to be off it asap as on reduction plan.    

I was also advised that you don’t have to declare health conditions by law? In a drug rehabilitation forum.  

If they directly asked if take any medication that causes you issues with health and safety wouldn’t lie.  Will have to speak to dispenser.  

Maybe it’s all a pipe dream.  It’s an amazing opportunity and feel one so well to fall as the final hurdle after securing an amazing career that would be life changing.  

You can be dependent on something without it being considered an illegal drug, ask alcoholics, smokers etc.

Difference between dependency and addiction is hotly debated and has never been settled. Most would say dependency is physical and characterised by things like having built up a tolerance or having withdrawal if you stop. Addiction, by those same people, would be said to be behavioural or mental in nature, you're hooked on the high but then addiction can result in physical symptoms when considering ceasing. Many however also use the terms interchangeably. 

Personally, think it's great that you are trying to move on from your past. In reality however you are still considered an addict to opioids as were you not your methadone would have been stopped. Even if it had been stopped the DVLA, on last checking, still wants evidence for another 3 years that you haven't gone back to old habits. 


You've avoided saying what the job is and in particular what the advice from your Doctor has been around driving/heavy machinery etc, which is your right but makes people have to be more speculative. I am assuming that you didnt just apply online and shortly after received the job offer? Normally you'd have at least one job interview and almost certainly in that you will have had them ask if you had any questions for them. Certainly if you have been advised not to use machinery and yet applied to this job knowing it involves the use of machinery there was an obvious opportunity for you to ask before the job letter. Can understand why you may not have wanted to ask but that doesnt make it true that there was no opportunity to ask. 


You are not obliged to tell an employer about a health condition but if you have worked for them for less than 2 years they can dismiss you for refusing to as long as your condition isnt considered a disability under the relevant legislation. If you lie about your health then thats something that someone can be dismissed for irrespective. They can ask questions in an interview where its directly relevant to the job... it would be absurd to say that they couldn't question the ability of a quadriplegic person applying to work as scaffolder on if they are physically up to the task. 

Even when they do ask, unless you are applying for company medical insurance or such, they won't ask for specifics unless its around reasonable adaptation. If you say you need more breaks in the day to visit the toilet but are willing to work a longer shift so the working hours arent impacted then it will be left at that, they most likely won't enquire what's wrong with you that you need a toilet break every 90 minutes.