You, the American people, you, my friend & neighbor, YOU the one reading this blog...
So now we have these incredible advances in technology, specifically in observation and security devices, and cameras are EVERYWHERE. You embrace this, for what do you have to fear? You are without flaw, and the rest of us need to be watched 24/7 right? Maybe you don't see that in this time of recession, when we need jobs, how truly unattainable they have become thanks to your judgements. To get a job, one must pass the most rigorous background check. Made a mistake once? You're out. Oh, but you are perfect, right?
Credit check: "Oh, I see you are in debt and need money. Well we can't hire you in that case". Good thing you are perfect.
"Do you have a job? Oh, you don't. Well, again, that means we can't hire you". I know you don't believe me, because I am a liar, right? Of course.
Pre-employment drug screening. "So I see you have used drugs less than 4 months ago! We legally CAN NOT HIRE YOU then. I mean this is a casino! We can't have our gambling tables manned by or our alcohol served up by someone with low enough scruples to smoke a joint at home less than half a year before they have to work. See, if a crap table was to fall on one of our dealer's heads again, we need to know you were clean before we hired you. How are we gonna cancel your insurance when you test positive after the accident if you weren't clean when we hired you?" OK, I exaggerated on that last part. Casinos dealers don't usually get insurance anymore to lose.
"Please list any citations you have ever had, including traffic violations, and any arrests, misdemeanor or felony, and the dates and please explain." I am not shitting you. I have had that on more than one app. How could ANYONE be expected to know dates of any traffic ticket, and WHY?
"Male/Female, White/Hispanic/Latino/other, Disabled?...don't worry, we won't use these answers in our decision, even though we will get sued if we don't have enough women or minorities. It won't hurt your chances Mr. Guy Whiteman. We just put them there for no reason." Que?
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SAD BUT TRUE. I am educated, hard working, and honest except to my insignificant other who demands I lie and because I have a felony conviction for POSSESION with NO intent to sell from 6 years ago I can not get hired anywhere that does a background check wich is just about everywhere. American society does not promote rehabilitation of anyone but esspecially "so called criminals" once your labeled your screwed. Seriously and people still wonder why drug addicts steal and commit fraud ect. Perhaps it is because regardless of their qualifications or abilities they are unemployable because a hair stand test(total violation of American Liberty)shows that they used drugs at sometime over the course of the last 6 months. Obviously there are people who would rather steal than work but for those who just want to live their life and work and be a productive member of society why can't they be afforded that luxury why must their freedoms be modified to fit societies version of (right or wrong-good or bad-black or white. Cause Living this lifes not hard enough they take everything away.
ReplyDeleteThe policy of, "as long as you never got caught it never happened" rules the system. If you are fortunate enough to have wealthy parents who constantly bail you out of financial troubles and or legal ones you may grow up with absolutley no problem solving skills or drive but hey you won't need them because as long as you look good on paper it really doesn't matter who you are in flesh and blood. I was convicted of a victimless crime because I was in possesion f a drug that I was addicted to that society deemed illegal. I was not stealing, raping, assaulting, or anything that could violate another humans rights. I had in my possesion the very thing that allowed me to work full time take care of my kid have a social life and maintain without severe depression and cronic fatigue. I do not deserve to have a job RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, they go overboard with some of the stuff.
ReplyDeleteBut I do have to question one of the issues you raise. The drug screening. I'm not here to say whether drug use is right or wrong. However, I don't think it comes as a surprise to anyone when a potential employer asks for one. If the majority of society says they don't want to do business with people who take drugs, and so directs their representatives to pass laws requiring screenings or vote on ballot measures that approve of mandatory screenings, then I think society has a right to do that. They're NOT saying "you can't partake of drugs in the privacy of your home". They are, however, saying that if you do so you're choosing to put yourself in danger of not being able to find a job and support yourself. Yeah, it's coercion, but it's not absolute force.
Eric, I understand how in theory how it may sound like a good idea to screen prospective employees for drugs. The instant replay sounded like a good idea to the NFL too. I think it ruins the game.
ReplyDeleteHaving spent time unemployed, I have seen first hand the effects of this process and they are bad. First off, it is a complete infringement of our civil liberties. It is degrading. No one should be allowed to take my hair or have me pee in a cup for analysis.
The test results cover at LEAST the last six months. Why should anyone be judged on things injested months before they even apply for the job, at a time when they were unemployed and therefore without obligations or commitments to a certain standard of ethical behavior appropriate to their career field?
Also, it allows employers to abuse employees. For example, anyone injured at work can have their medical coverage withheld simply because of a positive toxicalogy, even when injury was through no fault of their own.
The test itself is flawed. Fact: I tested positive for THC one time when applying for a job. I had not knowingly partaken of any illegal drug in 8 1/2 months (since a poker game at which I "hit a joint" twice) and only that one time in over a year.
Probably my biggest complaint I have against pre-emp tox scrns is this: Humans, when given a chance to succeed, when allowed to work, when they feel good about themselves...flurish. We cannot take thousands of Americans and declare them un-employible without giving them a chance. They will turn to whatever means to survive and will be, justifiably I think, angry at society for their exclusion.
Obviously some jobs have a stronger claim on pre-emp testing: Pilots, bus drivers, etc. I also have no issue with testing an employee that is displaying signs of being under the influince of drugs while on the job.
Anyway, thanks again EC for your input. Your opinions carry a lot of weight with me for sure;)