Legal Question in Employment Law in Michigan

Charging for drug tests, legal?

I was hired by an employer, (non private) who required a drug test to be hired. Fine by me, I had no worries of failing the test. However, they charged me $26 dollars for the required drug test and ten dollars to look up my driving records. Is that legal, and if not, what should I do?


Asked on 2/21/04, 1:18 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

William Morrison Action Defense Center

Re: Charging for drug tests, legal?

Yes, its legal. Your employer is unusually frugal, but there's no law against that.

The license check only costs $6.50 to the Secretary of State, but there may be a processing fee to a third party. Under state law , the company cannot charge you a fee for hiring you, but it may be reimbursed for its costs.

The driving records review is used as a rough check on any past history of substance abuse. State law requires that certain drug/alcohol crimes (e.g. Possession Marijuana, Minor in Possesion of Alcohol, Drunk Driving) be reported on your master driving record. Many insurers of companies are now requiring this.

Once you graduate and start your rise through the employment ranks, you should encounter fewer penurious employers.

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Answered on 2/22/04, 9:52 pm


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