Can a company request a drug test even though you work through a temporary agency and did not take it through the Temp.?

Attorney answers (2)

1. Licensed in CA

   

   Neil Pedersen

   Irvine Employment / Labor Attorney

   Contributor Level 20

   8

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   Answered February 01, 2013 09:26. There are significant restraints on an employer's right to engage in medical testing to determine if an applicant or employee is using drugs.
   
   The law basically allows any employer to do a pre-employment drug test on any applicant as long as the procedure used minimizes the invasion of privacy. Therefore, if the blood or urine test is done in private, and there are protocols in place to make sure the results are treated like confidential medical records, most employers can drug test applicants.
   
   If you are an employee (i.e., you have already been hired) the employer can only drug test you if (1) it is part of a truly random drug testing policy, (2) the employer has objective evidence that give it a reasonable suspicion that the employee is using drugs, or (3) if the employee has been involved in a workplace accident or injury and the test is done immediately upon the happening of that event.
   
   Where you work for an agency, the issue of who is the employer is a little more complicated, but not hard to understand. Essentially, if you are paid by one company, but you work under the direction and control of another, both companies are usually considered an employer. This is called the "joint employer doctrine." Both companies are allowed to act as employer with regard to the drug testing, and both employers are bound by most of the laws that protect employees against employer wrongdoing.
   
   If you test positive on a drug test and therefore are terminated or not hired, it is highly unlikely you will qualify for unemployment insurance benefits. The basic concept of unemployment benefits is that you may be compensated if you are unemployed through no fault of your own. Failing a drug test is usually sufficient grounds to constitute "misconduct" which disqualifies you from eligibility for benefits.
   
   Good luck to you.

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2. Licensed in CA

   

   Michael Shafer

   Norco Criminal Defense Attorney

   Contributor Level 18

   Answered February 06, 2013 11:46. Yes, they can and no to unemployment.

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