What happens when you get a failed drug test with an employer?

Just got the shock of my life on my answering machine. My drug test was “rejected”. Does this mean Failed? Im stoned? Im just a family man in my mid 40s and have never used drugs in my life. I dont even drink booze. I havent taken any prescription drugs or even over the counter in 6 months. I cannot believe it. I fly back to my hometown to get a job to start immediatly and I get this. Im taking another one but Ill at the least be unemployed waiting for another 3 weeks. How accurate are these things? Im guilty of too much caffiene in my jumbo travel cup and shouldnt smoke Marlboro’s. I support Lowe’s efforts for a drug-free workplace, but geez!! Get a new laboratory contract. Im as squeaky clean as they come.

There is usually a way to contest it. I was told once when taking a drug test for a potential employment that I would have to pay for a second test if it failed and I wanted to contest it. “Rejected” may mean that there was a false positive or that something was messed up with the handling of your sample. I don’t know exactly what the margin of error is on a urine test, but there definitely is one. A retest may be a second urine test but it may also be a blood test. Whatever the reason, there should still be a way for your job to be OK. Good luck!

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