TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Okay, guys, I need help. I just got a call back, saying the Jefferson Parish Library doesn't do offer letters because employment will all depend on the applicant passing the drug test. Is this a bad sign? What should I do?
Edgedancer he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Okay, guys, I need help. I just got a call back, saying the Jefferson Parish Library doesn't do offer letters because employment will all depend on the applicant passing the drug test. Is this a bad sign? What should I do? It means you shouldn't do drugs, which I'm pretty certain you don't anyway. Now, I don't know how big a deal offer letters are in the US but that doesn't really sound bad to me.
TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 The thing is, they're asking me to fly down there at my own expense for the drug test, with no guarantee except a verbal one.
Edgedancer he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 The thing is, they're asking me to fly down there at my own expense for the drug test, with no guarantee except a verbal one. So for reference, did you ask for a letter saying you will get a job or a letter that says you get the job if you pass the drug test?
Mestiv he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Can't you do the test in your city? I don't see what would be the point of them offering you a job to make you take those tests and then don't give you the job. That sounds stupid.
TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 So for reference, did you ask for a letter saying you will get a job or a letter that says you get the job if you pass the drug test? For both, and they were both denied.
Orlion Blight he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Okay, guys, I need help. I just got a call back, saying the Jefferson Parish Library doesn't do offer letters because employment will all depend on the applicant passing the drug test. Is this a bad sign? What should I do? Couldn't the offer letter say something like "contingent on passing a drug test"? It's a puzzler, since the library is playing legal hardball and leaving themselves a way out of employing a drugee... But it also means you're just left with an oral contract. I would say follow through with the travel, particularly if you were planning on spending some money on travel expenses in your job search. I wouldn't turn in your two weeks notice at your current job.
Edgedancer he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 For both, and they were both denied. Hrm, that does sound weird. Although, I agree with Mestiv that testing you and then not giving you the job would be stupid.
TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Couldn't the offer letter say something like "contingent on passing a drug test"? It's a puzzler, since the library is playing legal hardball and leaving themselves a way out of employing a drugee... But it also means you're just left with an oral contract. I would say follow through with the travel, particularly if you were planning on spending some money on travel expenses in your job search. I wouldn't turn in your two weeks notice at your current job. I'll also have to start within b 14 days of passing the drug test, so I'd have to have everything in order before going down there, and then there's the matter of giving notice at my current job....its just weird. Is there some other insurance I could ask for?
Mestiv he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Maybe record your phone conversation with them, so you'll have a proof of the deal just in case.
Kaymyth she/her Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 (edited) I'll also have to start within b 14 days of passing the drug test, so I'd have to have everything in order before going down there, and then there's the matter of giving notice at my current job....its just weird. Is there some other insurance I could ask for? Keep in mind that this is a public library - the government has all sorts of weird legal red tape hoops that they make their people jump through. If they say they can't furnish a letter, it's probably because there's some state or local halfwit with a red tape gun who has told them that they can't. They don't have to make sense. They're the gubbermint. ETA: Just don't let your family sneak you any poppy seed muffins between now and then. Edited February 4, 2016 by Kaymyth 1
Orlion Blight he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 I've given it some thought...And I realized I never got an offer letter for the current job I have. It was all over the phone until I got the contact to sign, so there's a good chance there's nothing to worry about. Except it'll give your parents fuel for the fire. Does your current job know you've been searching for a job? If so, you could let them know and have the notice for when you pass the drug test. Aside from that, just prep as much as you can for the move. This might be just one of those cases in life where you just have to take a deep breath and go for the plunge without total certainty.
TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Maybe record your phone conversation with them, so you'll have a proof of the deal just in case. I've been saving all the emails. Keep in mind that this is a public library - the government has all sorts of weird legal red tape hoops that they make their people jump through. If they say they can't furnish a letter, it's probably because there's some state or local halfwit with a red tape gun who has told them that they can't. They don't have to make sense. They're the gubbermint. ETA: Just don't let your family sneak you any poppy seed muffins between now and then. My contact said as much—it's Jefferson Parish policy, they can't do it unless an applicant passes the drug test and all that. I told my parents—didn't want to, but they had to know—and my mom said that if I do it, think of it as a vacation to Louisiana. Take some vacation days, look at apartments but don't put any money down, and then once the drug test passes, have everything in place so I can move quickly. (She followed that up with "Come to Spokane! Stay with your dad for a few days! Print off copies of your resume and give them to every business with something resembling a library!" ) I've given it some thought...And I realized I never got an offer letter for the current job I have. It was all over the phone until I got the contact to sign, so there's a good chance there's nothing to worry about. Except it'll give your parents fuel for the fire. Does your current job know you've been searching for a job? If so, you could let them know and have the notice for when you pass the drug test. Aside from that, just prep as much as you can for the move. This might be just one of those cases in life where you just have to take a deep breath and go for the plunge without total certainty. That's comforting. (Seriously—if you're employed and you never got an offer letter, then that's a good sign for me.) They do. I can let my boss know I got the offer and all the conditions. That's what I'm leaning towards. I'd rather take a chance on this than pass it up and never know. (Besides, I already turned down the offer for a second interview from Silver City.)
Kaymyth she/her Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Wait...did...did your mother actually just say something that made sense? I am so confused. But yeah, I've never received an offer letter for anything, and I work for super-big-crazy Redacted, Inc. So I think you're fine. Don't get me wrong, it's completely dumb that they can't assign a local-to-you drug testing company to your case, but it's not surprising given government red tape is a thing that exists.
TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Wait...did...did your mother actually just say something that made sense? I am so confused. But yeah, I've never received an offer letter for anything, and I work for super-big-crazy Redacted, Inc. So I think you're fine. Don't get me wrong, it's completely dumb that they can't assign a local-to-you drug testing company to your case, but it's not surprising given government red tape is a thing that exists. Why do you think she had to follow it up with SPOKANE! SPOKANE! COME! TO! SPOKANE!? She had to keep the universe from imploding. Okay. That's comforting.
Blaze1616 he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 I've never received an offer letter for either job offer. Drug testing is pretty standard, I feel, and employment is pretty much always contingent on passing. As for testing in New Orleans or not, it's very common for companies to have contracts with local urgent care facilities, in which the facility will send paperwork and the like in a format that the company uses, without having to jump through communication hoops and the like or any potential transfer fees. So for them to want you to come out for your testing is not uncommon at all.
TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 If it's pretty common not to get an offer letter, and red tape is the reason why they're all tied up….I'll go ahead and do it.
Young Bard he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Author Posted February 4, 2016 (edited) Double post. Sorry. Edited February 4, 2016 by The Young Bard
Young Bard he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Author Posted February 4, 2016 (edited) Mestiv, have you seen this? I thought you might be interested. (Polish Sanderson fansite.) Okay, guys, I need help. I just got a call back, saying the Jefferson Parish Library doesn't do offer letters because employment will all depend on the applicant passing the drug test. Is this a bad sign? What should I do? So, why can't you get an offer letter with a proviso on it that you pass the drug test? I don't really get why. If that's the reason why they can't give offer letters out, then it is so easily fixed. Edited February 4, 2016 by The Young Bard
Mestiv he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 (edited) Mestiv, have you seen this? I thought you might be interested. (Polish Sanderson fansite.) Yeah, I've seen it it's a nice initiative and I hope they'll be successful. Maybe I'll get involved one day... EDIT: If any of you ever end up in Poland, here's an idea what you may want to visit: Skull Chapel Edited February 4, 2016 by Mestiv 1
Kaymyth she/her Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Mestiv, have you seen this? I thought you might be interested. (Polish Sanderson fansite.) So, why can't you get an offer letter with a proviso on it that you pass the drug test? I don't really get why. If that's the reason why they can't give offer letters out, then it is so easily fixed. You underestimate the power of US government bureaucrats. The decision-maker would be someone removed enough from the situation that they literally give zero craps about any of the people involved. The people who do care aren't allowed to break the rules, even if the rules are stupid. Actually, especially if the rules are stupid...
Seonid he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 I've never had an offer letter for any of my jobs. Drug tests aren't a big deal, as long as you avoid poppy seeds (and don't do drugs, of course, but I'm taking that as a given). All things considered, I wouldn't worry about it. If they said they were offering you the job, you can pretty well assume you've got it. I'd move cross country on the assurance you have.
TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 Since all the Americans, familiar as we are with stupid government, think it's probably fine, I'll tell my parents I'm going to do it. Wish me luck. (And yes, I waited until I was at work so I'd have a convenient excuse for ignoring them if they call with advice. )
Quiver he/him Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 I haven't had to do a drug test, for any jobs. Granted, that has the caveat that I haven't had many jobs, most have been temporary and retail, but still. I'm always surprised when I hear about them. ...but I wouldn't be worried, Twi. I didn't get letters or emails related to my current job until after the interviews (they contacted me by phone for them), so... Good luck?
The Honor Spren she/her Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 You know what's annoying? When you look at the Odyssey of the Mind rules, then look at the script and realize it fulfills next to none of the requirements, while your teammate who's in charge of the script is against changing it, so you have to go with a different team member and write a new script yourselves. All two weeks before competition.
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