[Anonymous]

Let me try to make a long story as short as possible.

I work for a very small company. My boss has anger issues, which are documented with the DOL. Last year, we were hiring for another position and he explicitly told me that regardless of who they hire, that job is mine if I want it once I get my CPA. We ended up hiring someone at almost twice my salary. Now that I’ve got my CPA, I reminded my boss of that conversation and asked for a substantial raise (I don’t want the job, but my job is at least on that level if not more in terms of difficulty, responsibility, and hierarchy). He said that I definitely deserved a raise, but when I gave him the #, his legendary anger suddenly surfaced and he said, LSS, there is no way he can pay me that much but would think about it and let me know next week.

I decided I had enough working for someone I can’t respect, who can’t show his employees a minimum level of respect, and who won’t keep promises (there were several other major broken promises to me and others). Just trust me that this guy is an all-around asshole and a certifiable idiot.

Without getting into too many details, I now believe he is planning on replacing me. He doesn’t have grounds to fire me; I do an amazing job and everyone tells him so, but employment is “at will”.

I’m finding the job market is much better now and have interviews lined up. My concern is that I can’t pass a drug test (marijuana is legal in the state, but employers can still fire/rescind an offer legally). It will take me a few weeks to pee clean. I am underweight, have zero appetite, and am nauseated all day, in addition to having some musculoskeletal issues. Marijuana is the only thing that consistently helps me, and I’ve had a very hard time the past several days without it. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow to try and find alternative treatments.

Question #1: Do I go ahead and quit now so I don’t have a firing on my record or do I wait to get fired? He has told my coworker “you should never quit, let them fire you” because of unfair termination lawsuits. I don’t know if a suit would even be an option since employment is at will, but my coworker seems to think that is a huge concern for him. My husband thinks I should quit so I don’t have to explain getting fired.

Question #2: At what point in the hiring process would I know that there would be a drug test? If I get offers before I can test clean and they require a drug screen, I will have to reject them (which doesn’t look great in front of my recruiters but is better than testing positive). However, I am concerned that I will accept a job offer and THEN find out that I have 24 hours to test, leaving me with no out.

Thank you guys for your input. FWIW, I am actually the longest-standing employee here at just over 4 years. He tends to lose talent due to his personality.

[y_u_no_pass]

I don't think most professional organizations drug test. That is pretty disrespectful. Also you can buy fake pee. And quit if you are ready, like once a job is lined up. Also try looking into alternative solutions because it isn't good to smoke etc a lot.

Florida CPA!
Took final exam 2/25/15.
Sent in Application 3/12/15.
Issued License 3/20/15.
Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

[Missy]

Not sure what kind of state CO is but in MA, an employer doesn't need any reason let alone a fair one to terminate an employee. However the grounds for termination may determine whether or not you could collect unemployment. If you can afford to be unemployed for an undetermined amount of time, quit. Otherwise hang in there until you find something.

Q2 I won't even dignify with a response. You can't POSSIBLY be asking how far you can push it with whatever habits might stand in the way of employment. You just can't be asking that for real. Here's a thought, stop whatever habit it is until after you have a new offer, like today.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses. @MLA, I think you misunderstood. I have stopped as soon as I decided I didn't want to work here anymore. It just takes a long time for it to get out of your system. I am on the market and things are moving a lot faster than anticipated. I do not want to risk fake pee or anything else that could get me caught. I am just wondering if they can tell you AFTER you get an offer you've accepted, “PS there's a drug test” because once I've accepted the offer, I won't have excuses for why I won't take the job.

Yes, employment is at will, but the boss seems to think wrongful termination lawsuits are a concern. I could definitely collect unemployment if I were let go. Financially, I could deal either way.

Really upsets me that most of the hard drugs (coke, heroin, etc – which I have NEVER touched) are out of your system in hours or days, but pot can take weeks.

[JohnWayneIsGod]

1) My previous job drug tested as a condition of employment. You're are probably doing the right thing by going to your doctor to see if you can find an alternative. However there could be a legal exemption to someone who legitimately smokes due to medical issues.

2) Keep in mind that they likely will not fire you until they have somebody to replace you. In my last job it became abundantly clear to me that my abusive boss had plans to fire me, so and I turned in my resignation as a result which she gladly accepted, but even then she still wanted me to stay for several weeks until they had a replacement. The point: You have more leverage than you think, so use that leverage to line a new job up before you resign. And remember that if you do get terminated while searching, you stand a good chance at getting unemployment benefits.

FAR - 80

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.

-John Wayne

[Missy]

I did misunderstand. Yes they can tell you after an offer that there will be a test, but usually they do it on or very close to the start date. You can procrastinate a bit, especially if the drug testing center they use isn't convenient for you. I had to drug test and would have passed but the lab they use is 30 min in the opposite direction and they decided to have me go about 3 days after I had already started because they let me do it on their time but had already scheduled all of my orientation meetings.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Unfortunately there is a recent high profile case that went to the Colorado supreme court when a quadriplegic working for Dish Network was fired for using though he was never impaired at work (neither am I) and they determined that it IS lawful to fire someone for medical marijuana use. If a quadriplegic can't get away with it for medical reasons, I sure as hell can't.

Regarding #2, I would normally agree, but he has more pride than brains.

[alboreland]

I agree with Marion. As for as trying the game the drug test, it won't work. I had a drug test done and it has to be at a specific temperature or they won't accept it.

[Anonymous]

@coloradorit Will you doctor sign off to verify that you are using for medicinal purposes, as opposed to recreational? If so, do you think that would make a difference?

I recently accepted a new position, and while they didn't request a drug test, my offer letter came with the paperwork to authorize a background check. I have a financial matter that I was afraid would keep me from getting the job. When I returned the offer along with the background check authorization, I briefly explained the matter so that it wouldn't be a surprise. Turned out to be no where near the big deal I thought it would.

That's my long way of saying, its likely any request like that would come with the offer. If it did, do you think being up front about your situation so that there are no surprises would help?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I have zero interest in trying to game the system. I am going to wait until I can pee clean or I will absolutely not submit to it. I bought several drug tests (15 for $9) on Amazon that I will verify with ones from Walgreens before I will take a drug test. I just don't want to be in a position where it's obvious that I don't want to drug test.

Unfortunately, any sort of medical explanation will not help; the CO Supreme Court just ruled on it. I did have a medical marijuana card before it became recreational.

[JohnWayneIsGod]

@coloradorit: Sorry about the problems with the marijuana. I don't smoke for any reason what-so-ever primarily because I know it will just cause trouble for me, but it should be commonsense by now that some people use it for legit purposes just as some people are prescribed painkillers, steroids, etc for legit purposes. Hopefully The Millennials will bring a change in attitude as they move into management.

If your boss has ‘more pride than brains', and you can go a period of months without any income, then perhaps it is best to turn in your resignation if this is your first job. If it is a second job, then I'd say it is worth taking a gamble since the worse-case is that you'd be eligible to take unemployment benefits. Oh, and I wouldn't take anyone to court over wrongful termination in an at-will state unless you had an overwhelmingly concrete case. Sounds like your boss is just blowing smoke by even bringing that up around the office.

FAR - 80

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.

-John Wayne

[Anonymous]

My office is next door to a CPA firm. I dropped in just to drop off my business card with a partner. He invited another partner, closed the door, and we had an impromptu interview right then and there that went extremely well. They said they are considering major changes and were very interested.

I think I've decided to put in my notice on Monday so that I don't have a firing on my record. Like I said, more pride than brains, so there is a good possibility he will tell me to pack up and leave right then and there (I have already packed most of my personal belongings).

Thanks for everyone's input. I am still concerned about being faced with a drug test at the last minute but I did stop several days ago. Hopefully after my doctor's appointment tomorrow, we can find the root of the problem to where I won't be dependent on drugs just to eat. All I ate yesterday was two bananas, a smoothie, and half a TV dinner, and I had to force every bite down. Just stating this so you understand I am not a druggie; I just have health issues. I have a prescription for strong painkillers for my hip and I don't like taking them often because they are habit-forming and much harder on your system. Marijuana really is a miraculous drug for people much worse off than me; its effects on children with severe epilepsy especially are astounding. Here's a great story for anyone who's curious: https://www.cnn.com/2013/08/07/health/charlotte-child-medical-marijuana/

[JohnWayneIsGod]

Awesome. Good luck with the potential new job. If you are packing stuff, then you have already quit in your mind. That is enough reason to leave a job in my opinion. Ha, my wife smokes all of the time (and not for medicinal purposes) and has a very good job where they can't wait to promote her. Although I stay away from marijuana myself, there are lots of misconceptions about the people who use it.

FAR - 80

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.

-John Wayne

[Anonymous]

Yes, i am out of there mentally and it feels great. Sometimes you don't realize you're carrying such a heavy burden until the weight is off your shoulders. Still a little scary to be without a job, though we can live off one salary and have saved up a several month emergency reserve.

There are certainly misconceptions. My boss was talking about all the loser pot smokers on the street a few months back, not realizing a heavy user was standing right in front of him, as a professional he was employing.

When i was in public accounting, a coworker and i would go to a medical dispensary on our lunch break. He had a card but it was purely recreational. He is now a cpa as well.

[FIFOisbetterthanLIFO]

No offense dude and I know you just passed the exam and are excited, but you are letting passing the CPA exam get to your head. To think your employer is going to magically double your pay because you passed an exam is just crazy regardless of what he ever said. The bottom line is that since it's a small firm you create little to no value because you have the license. If you went to him and offered to start bringing in new clients and networking that angle of the business, then I could see there being a serious pay negotiation.

FAR - Passed (82)
BEC - Passed (76)
AUD - Passed (89)
REG - Passed! (81)
AICPA Ethics

Licensed CPA

[Anonymous]

No, i thought he'd double my pay because he said he would. Well, i didn't actually believe him, but that's what he promised. His word means nothing, i am out. He will end up paying double bc he will hire 2 people to do my job. And you don't know anything about my job and what value i add. The CPA was actually huge in bringing and maintaining clients. They insisted i get it.

I work with 3 other CPAs, 2 who i just interviewed and hired, and they make more than double my salary. One of them used to be my auditor. Now that i see her work product, there is no comparison to what i do. Funny enough, the boss agrees. The other CPA we just hired told the boss there is no way that one person could do all i do.

Everyone but the admin at my work makes roughly double my salary. My position is critical. They have taken it for granted. Like i said, he actually did not believe how little i was making when i told him.

You also need to understand my boss. He is a typical bully and thus responds best to pressure. If you are passive, he will walk all over you. If you stand up to him, he respects you. I yelled at HIM once and he backed off for a long time. He once tried to fire a completely useless employee but let him keep his job for several more months because said employee yelled at him while he was in the middle of being fired. He finally really fired him via phone call the day he was closing on his house.

[Author]

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