Is it legal to reject a urine sample based on smell?
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Is it legal to reject a urine sample based on smell?
I recently went for a pre-employment drug screen. After giving the urine sample to the lab tech. she said the
temperature was correct then she smelled it about 4 times, and said she had to reject it due to lack of smell.
She proceeded to input this into her computer system but there wasn’t an option for smell so she lied and said
the temperature was bad. Is this legal?
Asked on September 26, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Yes, it is legal, if there is reason why the technician believes, based on her experience and/or training and the physical evidence (e.g. color; odor, or lack thereof) that that sample is not an authentic one (e.g. has been doctored or diluted; is some other substance; is not a "fresh" one and so was provided by someone else and brought in by the employee). They do not have to except what they believe to be an altered or inauthentic sample. Remember also, there is no right to employment ("employment at will"), so the employer can reject an applicant if it feels something is "off" or "wrong" about any part of the screening process.
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