I saw this
contracting notice that Social Security posted:
The Social Security Administration (SSA), as a result of its customer
service responsibilities and the sensitive nature of its work, has an
obligation to provide a Drug-Free Workplace. Through the agency's
Drug-Free Workplace Plan, we offer a comprehensive Drug Testing Program
for employees. SSA tests a minimum of 25 percent of each testing
designated position on a quarterly basis. SSA has elected to post a
Request for Information (RFI) to obtain feedback regarding drug testing
services, fees, and other pertinent information regarding services
currently available within the Drug Testing industry.
I didn't realize that any Social Security employees were drug-tested. Who gets tested?
I spent 7 years at SSA as a PSC employee (until about a year ago) and not only was I never tested, I never heard of anyone being tested.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess maybe OIG agents who carry firearms are tested?
Another good way to spend money they don't have.
ReplyDeleteSPOT-ON, 10:35!
DeleteOIG staff most likely are tested, especially special agent investigators.
ReplyDeletePlease start drug testing...please
ReplyDeletebeen at ODAR for 7+ years in different positions, including management, never heard of any employee getting drug tested.
ReplyDeleteEvery federal employee should be drug tested. If they want the money and the benefits of tax payer dollars then they should be drug free.
ReplyDeleteYou could apply that logic to almost anyone, from disability claimants to people who take advantage of the mortgage interest deduction.
DeletePOTUS, VP, Cabinet and all of Congress should be first. Many of them at least show signs.
DeleteYeah it kind of sounds like they are trying to start drug testing employees. All I can say is: hoo boy. Not that there aren't less drug users than the general population, but there will definitely be some who are 'set in their ways' and to start this mid career... things could get messy.
ReplyDeleteObviously you don't want people on the job to be under the influence, but the morality of testing employees when marijuana in particular shows up when not high and is legal in some states, is extremely dubious.
ReplyDeleteThe Wall Street high finance banking hedge fund crowd that are constantly inflicting their bailouts and austerity on all of the rest of us are notorious drug users and perverts. Let's start with them and then move on to right wing tele-evangelists. Remember Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggert and the guy with the slicked back grey hair from down in Dallas who had the on air breakdown and said there were cobras coming out of his head--Tilton I believe was his name. Hypocrisy runs rampant in our great country. Just make sure your on top so you can roll your shit on down below.
ReplyDelete@4:43
ReplyDeleteAs they've told us multiple times, while it may be legal in some states, it is still illegal federally. We're federal employees, so...
Do they test when you 1st get hired?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWon't happen in ODAR...Its not a public safety position. It would be a 4th amendment violation to conduct such a search without some scintilla of objective individualized suspicion.
When your employer is the government, it is capable of violating your constitutional rights. Its a game changer. The Constitution protects us from the government not private companies or employers. Part of the reason Rs want to outsource everything. Less litigation, more employee exploitation. Anything to hit the plaintiff's trial bar
@9:51
ReplyDeleteI'm not very familiar with employment law, and I'm only a legal assistant, not an attorney, however it appears the Supreme Court has recognized in certain circumstances that drug testing of federal employees is permissible. In National Treasury Employees Union v. Von Raab, the Supreme Court found it reasonable given that government employees generally have a "diminished expectation of privacy."
case was for employees who either carry firearms, are involved in intercepting drugs or are in high level positions involving classified info. none relevant to non OIG officers of SSA or ODAR generally. (as I said 'public safety')
ReplyDelete.. if randomly drug test the union would sue immediately as a matter of principle. Again it won't happen
The union is the problem
DeleteI worked at SSA HQ. Drug testing was random. One of my co-workers received 2 hours notice to report to a testing site nearby. I don't know how often people were selected, I just overheard the issue being discussed on the day it happened.
ReplyDeleteSES gets randon testing. Never heard of a GS ee ever being tested.
ReplyDeleteWhy drug test now, they have not up to this point, so why start now? This will only DECREASE the number of people working at social security, which will slow processing down even more. Doing more work with LESS people....overworking the people that don't do drugs! Just what the social security agency needs right now.
ReplyDeleteAbout damned time!
ReplyDeleteMaybe if we had fewer alcoholics & stoners in the workplace we'd get something done!
We have PII data on just about every single individual in America. Even Kmart and Home Depot drug test!