Falsely accused of drug abuse at work

A former worker with Amazon was awarded £3,453 in compensation after managers at the internet giant falsely told him he had tested positive for amphetamine and fired him. Khalid Elkhader was shocked when a random test was returned positive. He appealed and was asked to take a second test. Amazon claimed the test was also positive, and dismissed him for misconduct. It was only after he took Amazon to a tribunal that he learned the second test had actually been negative. He was awarded with compensation after the Glasgow tribunal ruled his sacking was unfair. Khalid was fired after working with the company for two years. The tribunal heard how he had tried to get the second sample tested by his own doctor, and arranged for it to be sent it to the lab. By the time a courier had arrived to collect the sample it was too late and it had been destroyed. He then arranged for his own doctor to take a sample, which was also negative. Copied from the T.U.C web site.

This is why it is essential to make sure that the testing of the B sample is carried out completely independent of the drug testing company that tested the A sample. In addition make sure you see the full laboratory report, do not rely on the drug company’s interpretation of the result! Some companies use a lower threshold for the B sample.