Receiving a job offer can be an exciting moment, especially when it comes with a substantial raise. But for one job seeker on Reddit, the thrill turned to shock after their offer was unexpectedly withdrawn following a drug screening.
From Excitement to Shock
The candidate shared their experience online: “I recently received a job offer that would have nearly doubled my salary. My background check came back completely clean, and I felt confident going into the drug screening. However, I was told that my oral swab test came back positive for marijuana.”
Despite having no history of regular drug use and having last tried marijuana over three months ago, the positive result led the company to withdraw the offer. “I was honestly shocked. I don’t have any history of regular drug use, and the last time I even tried marijuana was over three months ago. Based on that, I truly believe this was a false positive.”
The offer was dependent on passing the screening. “Because the offer was contingent on passing the drug test, the company rescinded it. What makes this even harder is that I was never provided a copy of the test results or any documentation. On top of that, their policy states I can’t reapply for 24 months.”
Understanding Oral Swab Drug Tests and False Positives
Oral swab tests are known for their convenience, but they also have a reputation for inaccuracy. One Reddit user described:
“Dude that sucks but oral swabs are notorious for false positives – you should definitely request the actual lab results since most companies are legally required to provide them and consider getting an independent test done ASAP to dispute it.”
False positives can happen for several reasons, including interactions with common medications or supplements.
Lack of Transparency in Test Results
Many people are frustrated by the lack of access to official results. Another Reddit commenter who works in employee health emphasized this challenge:
“Ask to speak to the person in charge of that department. I work in employee health. You will not get a copy of your results. Also, when there is a discrepancy, we send it to an outside lab. They should have done that. We are also switching to buccal swabs instead of urine. Positive results, you have to wait a year to reapply.”
Similar Experiences from Others
Several users shared comparable situations, highlighting that these experiences are more common than most realize. One cited:
“Similar situation, I was basically all set to get the job. Then one day the recruiter calls me and says they are rescinding the offer because I failed a drug test. I hadn’t even drank in about a month. Turns out the result was Diluted Negative and that particular company has a stricter policy than the US Department of Traffic because the DOT requires an immediate retest. I tried explaining to them its because I drink 180+ ounces of water a day and they asked me to send that in writing and they would get back to me. Then never got back to me.”
Others provided practical guidance:
“A lot of companies have a process that allows you to request another test. Did you do that?”
“Push back HARD. Tell them it’s 100% a false positive and ask for a re-do. false positives happen all the time and common medicines or supplements can trigger them for all sorts of things. happened to me before.”
Dealing with the Emotional Impact
Having a job offer withdrawn can be disheartening. But some users pointed out on focusing on future opportunities:
“An offer falling through can feel tough, but it often opens doors to opportunities you might not have thought about. Embracing this change can lead you to something even better.”
Next Steps: Documentation and Appeal
To protect yourself, it’s important to request official test results and explore appeal options. As one Reddit user advised:
“That’s rough. I’d ask for the official test results and any appeal options. At Tarotap, we suggest keeping records and looking at other opportunities so you don’t get stuck waiting.”