Walmart is one of the largest employers in the world, with 1.5 million employees working across 11,500 stores all over the U.S.. If you are looking for a job at Walmart or currently work there, it’s important to know if they drug test their new hires!
Here is what I found out about whether Walmart drug tests current and potential staff members.
Does Walmart Drug Test? Walmart Drug Test Explained
Walmart’s strict policy states that they will not hire someone who has used illegal drugs. Employees are required to submit a negative result on their pre-employment drug screen, otherwise known as the 5 panel drug test, which tests for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, and opiates.
When Does Walmart Drug Test Employees?
Walmart can drug test at the following times:
Pre-Employment Test
When you are applying for a job with Walmart, you will be expected to undergo mandatory drug testing. During the application process, this is usually done at their pre-hire panel. There are certain restrictions that may apply depending on what type of position you are seeking employment for.
If your role involves interacting with customers on a regular basis or handling money, you will need to have passed all previous screens including the drug screen before being offered an official position at Walmart.
For other roles, the drug testing process may be done during or after you have accepted an official job offer.
Random Test
Walmart conducts random tests on employees throughout the year for various reasons including safety and compliance issues.
Suspicion Based Test
If there is any reason to believe that you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at work, Walmart may require you to take a drug test before continuing with your day-to-day responsibilities. This includes if you appear lethargic or disoriented when arriving to work early in the morning.
Post Incident Test
When an accident occurs in store, it is mandatory to have all relevant parties involved take a drug test immediately. Any employee who refuses to do so will be suspended without pay until the test results come back.
What Type Of Drugs Does Walmart Test For?
Walmart tests for all types of drugs, including alcohol and medical-use marijuana. As long as you inform Walmart about your condition, you will be allowed to work there.
If one fails the drug test due to medical reasons (and proves it with evidence) they may not be counted against them. You are responsible for backing this up.
The presence of recreational drugs, even if legal in the state where testing is being conducted, may still require the supervisor conducting the test to fail their potential new hire. When it comes down to it, employers aren’t legally obligated to give people jobs just because recreational use of certain kinds of drugs are legal.
Walmart Drug Test: How Long Does It Take?
If Walmart requests a drug test from you, you will have 24 hours to schedule it. You can set up an appointment for your drug test through the website or over the phone.
Can I Refuse a Drug Test At Walmart?
Refusing a mandatory drug test at Walmart is punishable by the termination of employment. A new job offer might be retracted if you refuse a drug test without good reason.
Current employees of Walmart who cancel their appointments or arrive late for a scheduled drug screening may be terminated immediately depending on the circumstances surrounding the occurrence.
After an incident has occurred at work, such as an accident during which you were determined to be at fault, do not expect Walmart to continue employing you without a drug test.
What Happens if You Fail the Walmart Drug Test?
Are you wondering what happens if you fail your drug test at Walmart? The answer varies depending on if you are an applicant or a current employee.
Zero-tolerance for drugs for its employees
As part of Walmart’s zero tolerance policy regarding drugs, the company will not hire anyone with a drug conviction in past decade. If they find out that an applicant used drugs before applying to Walmart, the application will be rejected.
For applicants, the offer is contingent on passing the drug test
Walmart has made it clear through their hiring process that offers are contingent on passing a drug test. Applicants who do not pass are automatically disqualified from being hired.
Employees who fail a random drug test will be terminated
Employees caught taking illegal substances during company testing have strict consequences including termination. Employees have ten days to notify human resources of a failed test.
Employees who fail a drug test after an accident can be sued personally
Employees are not covered under Walmart’s worker compensation plan if they are injured in the work place because of drugs or alcohol. If there is evidence that the employee was intoxicated when he got hurt, Walmart can deny worker comp claims and sue the individual for reimbursement.
If I Fail A Drug Test At Walmart Can I Reapply?
If you fail a drug test at Walmart, you must wait one year before reapplying to work there once more. To receive a new job offer from Walmart, it is in your best interest to pass the drug screening.
Conclusion: Does Walmart Drug Test?
Yes, Walmart DOES conduct drug tests on both potential and existing employees. The company conducts screening with a 5 panel urine test that checks for multiple drugs including cannabis metabolites (THC), cocaine metabolite (benzoylecgonine), amphetamine/methamphetamine (AMP/MDMA), methamphetamine (MAMP), and opiate metabolites.
Failing this test could disqualify you from getting the job if you are applying, or lead to your termination if you are already employed by Walmart.