Pee in a Cup

I recently applied for a job through an agency. They said all of their placements have to authorize a criminal background check and take a drug test. I don't have a problem with a background check, and I think employers are wise to do that, but I do have a problem with the drug test. Passing it is not an issue. I do not even use alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine. But it is a matter of principle. It's a terrible invasion of privacy. If the job involved operating heavy machinery or something dangerous, that would be fine, but what I, or my coworkers do in their own time is none of the employer's business. Not to mention the possibility of secretly screening for health insurance liabilities.

I told the agent ambiguously that I might have an issue with that. We proceeded to schedule an interview with the client. I aced the interview, which was with the sole proprieter, so I knew I had leverage. I asked generally if certain requirements were his, or just the agency's. He said "you mean the drug test and backgrounder? That's the agency". Apparently he had been forewarned.

So when the agency called back, and explained the details and tried to send me a contract, I figured they would just forget about the tests. But they didn't. Apparently it would get them in trouble if they tested some, but not others. I sensed this would not be an issue, so I declined the offer.

I called back the client, who called the CEO of the agency, and they made an arrangement where the client just pays a finder's fee, instead of me being employed by the agency as a 'consultant'. As it turns out, the client had done that before for someone who could not pass a pee test. It's fun to use the invisible hand to slap big brother.

Disclaimer: Don't try this at home unless you can afford to miss that opportunity.