Not all retail jobs drug test their employees or prospective employees.
Some retail employers require drug testing, particularly for large chains with locations across the state or nation. Smaller companies, though, might be less rigid about it.
Learn about the types of drug tests retail jobs perform on their employees, the substances they test for, and examples of retail jobs that drug test.
What retail job roles drug test employees?
Most times in retail jobs, the role will determine whether a pre-employment drug test is required. A drug test is typically required prior to onboarding for retail and warehousing positions.
Pre-employment and random drug tests are both required for all warehouse workers.
Cannabis is typically a deal-breaker if you’re applying for some retail jobs like sales associates. Unless you have a medical cannabis permit or live in a state where marijuana is legal.
When that happens, the hiring manager evaluates you individually to decide whether to proceed with them or not. However, note that you cannot get high while on the job.
It is however unknown if corporate office staff at retail jobs are subjected to pre-employment drug testing.
Do part-time retail jobs drug test?
Yes, even part-timers will be subject to pre-employment job tests if that company has a drug testing policy. When making a conditional job offer, some retail jobs conduct drug tests on each employee and provide the paperwork for that testing.
Most employers give candidates a certain amount of time to submit to a drug test; otherwise, they risk being fired. Although not all retail jobs do so, they might if there has been a safety problem.
For example, if you were driving a forklift and crashed into some shipment/products, or had a physical confrontation with a customer or coworker, etc.
What kind of drug tests do retail jobs conduct?
To check for marijuana, opiates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and cocaine, retail jobs frequently conduct a urine drug test conducted by a third-party lab.
A mouth swab is also sometimes used for random drug screening which includes testing for alcohol in addition to the same substances as the pre-employment test.
What drugs do retail stores test for?
Pre-employment drug tests are frequently required by organizations, and those who fail them may not be offered a position.
Employment drug testing is typically required by employers and includes screening for the following illicit substances:
- THC/Marijuana(cannabinoids, weed, marijuana, etc)
- Methamphetamines among other amphetamines (ecstasy/MDMA, meth, speed, crank, etc )
- Opiates (codeine, opium, morphine, heroin)
- Cocaine
- Phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust)
Employers can request tests for substances other than the five mentioned above during drug screenings. These tests can be conducted using blood, urine, saliva, or sweat tests.
What are some examples of retail stores that drug test?
1. Trader Joe’s
Due to the management’s belief that drug tests make it more difficult to hire qualified personnel, Trader Joe’s mostly never administers them.
However, some Trader Joe’s locations have been known to conduct drug tests on prospective employees, though this is not as common as it is at other well-known chain stores.
2. Aldi
Aldi performs drug and alcohol screenings for all potential employees. They deal with heavy packages and deliveries, making it a company requirement to work around potential hazards.
These tests safeguard the company in the event that an employee fails a drug test following an incident. Though urine tests may be an option, Aldi typically uses a saliva test.
3. Safeway
Drug tests are administered to the entire Safeway personnel. If you’re looking for work there, you should be ready to submit to a drug test before being hired. These tests, which are often performed at a nearby clinic, may require a sample of saliva or urine.
The doctor will then send the sample for testing, and the lab will inform Safeway management of its results.
If an employee is wounded at work, Safeway also conducts a required drug test in this circumstance. The reason for this mandatory test is to determine whether the employee was under the effect of drugs at the time of their injury.
In such a case, the accident is generally not the employer’s fault.
4. Whole Foods
Because they don’t often conduct drug tests before employing their staff, Whole Foods is a rare exception. However, a required drug test may be administered to workers who are wounded on the job. The warehouses will also probably test the drivers.
Potential employees who might operate with heavy machinery at some Whole Foods sites will be subjected to drug testing. They test these employees in order to make sure they are sober before allowing them to operate potentially harmful machinery.
5. Kroger
Marijuana and alcohol are normally the only substance that most grocery stores check for, but Kroger is yet another retail chain that frequently does more.
Although the process can differ from store to store and some prefer to utilize a urine sample, the majority of this test is a saliva swab. When the clinic or office is finished testing the sample, they deliver the result to Kroger, which uses it to make a hiring decision.
FAQs
What is the importance of drug testing for employees?
Employee, employer, and customer protection are some of the numerous ways that make workplace drug testing important. Such testing boosts workplace safety and production rates.
Can you be fired for testing positive for weed in legal states?
Yes, you can be fired for testing positive for weed in states where marijuana is legal.
The legalization or decriminalization of marijuana for recreational use in various places typically does not shield workers from being fired as a result of their marijuana usage while off the clock.
Can you refuse pre-employment drug tests?
You have the freedom to decline a drug test, and your employer has the authority to reject your application for employment as a result. However, state legislation may put certain specifications on how an employer conducts testing.
What jobs are most likely to drug test employees?
Jobs that will most likely conduct drug tests include military jobs, transportation, health care, construction, private security, education, and aerospace jobs among other jobs.
Conclusion
While not all retail jobs conduct drug tests on their employees, major retail brands have been known to do so.
Still, with the legalization of marijuana in some states, and the ease of drug testing policies, most retailers only conduct drug tests when the need arises.
Additionally, drug testing policies may vary according to locations, with some outlets of the same retail brand choosing to either conduct or not conduct drug tests.
I hope you found this article helpful. Do you have a problem with employers performing a drug test on you? Find out the jobs that do not require pre-employment drug tests.
Thanks for reading.
