Getting Hired FAQ

Questions:

• Is there any harm in lying or fudging on my resume about my education?
• How should I handle a job interview when I have an obvious physical disability? Should I mention it?
• Can potential employers force me to take a drug test?
• What is an at-will employment agreement?
• What is an arbitration agreement -- and do I have to sign one to keep my job?
• Why do I need to bring a passport or birth certificate to my first day of work?

Answer:

Can potential employers force me to take a drug test?

No -- that is, employers can't hold you down and draw your blood or refuse to let you leave until you pee in a cup -- but they can generally refuse to hire you if you won't take a drug test. Most states allow potential employers to test applicants as a condition of employment. (To find specific info about your state, see Nolo's State Laws on Drug Testing.) Employers must follow the rules set out by their state law; some states require employers to give applicants written notice that drug testing is a condition of the job, and some allow testing only once an applicant has a conditional job offer. For more information on applicant drug testing, see Nolo's article Drug Tests for Job Applicants.