Job Discussion Forums

kristinakiko · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Isla Vista, CA

Does NOVA really drug test randomly? More specifically, do they drug test pre-departure?
Just.... you know.... wondering............

kahilm · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 43

I don't have an answer for you, but I notice your location is Isla Vista. I went to UCSB for two years so I understand your concern Laughing

Try the search function. I'd say they probably don't, but that's just my guess.

kristinakiko · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Isla Vista, CA

Tried the search function but didn't come up with anything useful Sad

Go Gauchos!

YouHadMeAtASL · Joined: 30 May 2007 Posts: 60

I'm in the process of getting my visa and will departing within a month or two. No mention of a drug test has come up so far in the process.

kristinakiko · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Isla Vista, CA

I'm on the same boat! They told me they want me to leave in August and the visa process is in full swing. But I am paranoid about the day I get a letter in the mail asking to submit to a drug test before leaving for Japan...

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

It's in the contract only of the foreign workers, so that automatically makes the clause illegal. Don't worry about it. They haven't done any drug testing in about a decade.

Just worry about any drug issues you may have. Japan is not very kind to people who use them, if this is an issue at all in your situation.

sunnylv051114 · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Canada

Don't worry about it - it's more of a scare tactic. I have never heard of anyone being drug tested (pre or post-departure) by Nova. It's more to see if anyone has a problem with it...

kristinakiko · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Isla Vista, CA

thanks for your help sunnylv and glenski! that's exactly what i wanted to hear! and dont worry, i don't have any drug issues at all Smile

Gypsy Rose Kim · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 151

Yeah, don't worry about it. Party it up while you still can. I was worried about that when I first got hired at Nova, and I cleaned up my act a month before I left. It was a waste because of course they never tested me, and I still feel like a sucker to this very day. I wish I'd gotten more drugs in my system before I headed off to my drug-free life in Japan.

Only the other hand, if anyone's going to Korea, I believe you can be busted just for having drugs in your system--even if you can prove that you took them outside the country. I've just heard rumours, but from sources I trust.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Nagoyaguy · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 425 Location: Aichi, Japan

drifter13 · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 124 Location: Fujisawa

I imagine the drug testing would only come if someone in the compay felt you might be using. If you came to work and looked like you were under the influence, I could see them making you take the test, but I doubt it's a random every person thing. I'll agree with previous posts though, you should be more worried about what would happen if the authorities caught you, Japan's drug laws are every bit as tight as the west, more so even. I'd recommend just not using, It would suck to go half way around the world only to get kicked out for some drug use.

gaijin4life · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:07 am Post subject:

Gypsy Rose Kim · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 151

Nagoyaguy · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 425 Location: Aichi, Japan