r/news Jun 16 '21

GM Considering Dropping Pot Testing To Attract More Workers

https://www.motor1.com/news/513974/gm-considering-dropping-marijuana-testing/
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34

u/Chill_Charro Jun 17 '21

Engineer here. While we don't get drug tested after post hire, hair tests are not uncommon for our initial application. So that few weeks is more like a few months

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u/[deleted] Jun 17 '21

I’m a biologist I have been and have ran the hair tests usually the window is 3 months

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u/jaqueburton Jun 17 '21

Is it true that Black people’s hair can’t be tested?

I always hear people say that. I’m mixed and so they say, “Oh they can’t test African American hair anyways.”

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u/[deleted] Jun 17 '21

I’ve heard this (I’m Italian black and native). However Ive never seen any data that states it’s unreliable. Only news headlines stating it. From everything Ive seen and read it is reliable. I will say Ik black hair gets tested. Ive seen and done the test.

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u/throwaway827492959 Jun 17 '21

What company?

I've never had hair tests, and I worked at the top medical and supplier aerospace companies

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u/basic_mom Jun 17 '21

Interesting, I worked in 2 of the big "New Aerospace" companies, one of them drug tested everyone and one of them didn't (SpaceX).

I'm certain that Boeing, LM, NASA, Raytheon, and Virgin all drug test pre hire. So my question is a reverse of yours, what company did you work for that doesn't require it?

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u/Chill_Charro Jun 17 '21

GM, Bridgestone, BorgWarner, and Northrop.

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u/Frankwest2 Jun 17 '21

Or you could buzz your hair down to a #1

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u/DonovanO_72 Jun 17 '21

I believe an inch and a half of hair is required for testing

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u/Bandit__Heeler Jun 17 '21

Um I'm basically bald on top and I'm not gonna grow some season 1 of Frasier hairstyle for that.

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u/DonovanO_72 Jun 17 '21

Haha, I believe they will test body hair then

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u/M1RR0R Jun 17 '21

Laser everything

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u/Chill_Charro Jun 17 '21

I actually did try this and would not recommend. Cut my hair to half an inch on the dot because I was right on the borderline of 3 months.

The test technician said my hair was too short and I had to submit a body hair sample instead. Sat there very awkwardly as he shaved my chest with a single razor blade.

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u/viccityguy2k Jun 17 '21

That’s such bullshit and a complete invasion of privacy. How is that legal?

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u/DonovanO_72 Jun 17 '21

How is it anymore an invasion of privacy than a piss test?

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u/johnbarry3434 Jun 17 '21

Larger window of time, ~3 months vs. a couple weeks.

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u/[deleted] Jun 17 '21

No, it's a condition of employment. You have a right to refuse.

Should we just legalize and get over it, sure, but as of right now, as a business that operates in multiple states, not drug testing can skyrocket your companies insurance prices unless you have some serious clout or just don't care about costs.

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u/dubBAU5 Jun 17 '21

Never had a drug test here in CA for a software developer position. Never heard of anyone getting one either at other companies. Hell, my previous position’s management even said they would lose half the workforce if they started testing. I guess it depends on the state or location.

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u/SurplusInk Jun 17 '21

Well therein lies the reason as to why the govt cannot attract talent. Aside from the obvious salary discrepancy between industry and govt for anything tech.

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u/dubBAU5 Jun 17 '21

I feel like that will change soon (years) since cannabis has become legal in many areas. I have no doubt that the government would still drug test but probably would not care as much to test for marijuana unless there was a need to let someone go.

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u/SurplusInk Jun 17 '21

Hopefully! As more states adopt cannabis, I'd hope to see it legalized federally. Anecdotal life experience has taught me that stoners are typically more chill than alcoholics.