Walmart is known for their incredibly strict zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drugs and alcohol. In addition to not allowing their employees to use illegal drugs, Walmart requires employees to not be under the influence of alcohol while at work, and they do not allow the consumption of alcohol while at work. To comply with these policies, you can be sure that Walmart regularly tests its employees.
What Kind of Test Does Walmart Use?
Walmart uses a standard urine test that screens for five main drugs, including:
- Methamphetamine
- Marijuana
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- PCP
The urine test works by detecting the metabolites [1] of these drugs in your urine, not the drugs themselves. The reason is that drugs are broken down quite quickly in your body, and it is these metabolites that are then excreted in the urine. They are easier to detect as they last for days and are a reliable indicator of drug use.
The pre-employment test can vary from location to location, depending on which drugs are commonly used in your area. The test can also vary depending on how much the company is willing to spend on the drug test before hiring. The test procedure is relatively simple. You’ll be given a cup and asked to visit a bathroom. You won’t be able to take anything with you. Once you’ve peed into the container, a technician will take the sample to a lab and they will assess it. Walmart will receive the results within one to two days.
It’s important to note that all drug testing labs are on the lookout for cheats. They will check the temperature of the urine sample when its first delivered to ensure that it’s body temperature, and they will check the pH [2] to ensure it is within biological limitations. They will also screen for several well-known adulterants. If they detect any hint of cheating, the test will be an automatic failure, even if your urine was clean.
Does Walmart Drug Test New Employees?
If you apply for a job at Walmart, you may be expected to take a pre-employment drug test at some point in the process. Initial candidate screenings don’t require drug testing, but if you manage to get through the initial screening process and are a potential candidate for a job, you’ll be required to take a drug test. So, Walmart drug test is a necessity before they will hire you.
Does Walmart Drug Test Stockers?
Yes. Walmart has a strict policy in place about when they can and will test existing employees, including stockers. There are several types of circumstances under which drug tests can be administered to existing Walmart employees.
Random Testing
Random testing is done under the premise that it will prevent drug use in the company. These tests are conducted under management discretion and can occur at any time. However, it is important to note that unlike suspicion testing and post-accident testing, random testing can be illegal in some states and companies have been successfully sued.
Random tests are only considered legal if a warning is given, and are only legal in individual states. Be sure to know your rights and whether or not random testing is legal in your region. Also, on-the-spot random tests are illegal as you need to be given a warning before any drug test is administered.
Suspicion Testing
Suspicion testing is when an employee is tested because they are suspected of using drugs while at work. The test can be performed when a manager notices erratic behavior and poor performance that can be attributed to drug use.
Post-accident Testing
Post-accident testing occurs after an accident, where there is a suspicion that the accident was caused by drug use or being high. It will usually come up in the post-accident investigation, and the test will be used to determine whether substance abuse was responsible for the accident occurring.
What Happens if You Fail a Drug Test for Walmart?
In general, failing a drug test for Walmart will result in immediate termination. Also, failure to complete it in the allocated time frame will result in immediate termination or the annulment of the interview process. Failing a drug test also means that you can’t apply for other Walmart jobs for at least a year after the failure.
Walmart and Marijuana
Currently, recreational or medical marijuana [3]use is legal in most states in the US. However, Walmart still screens for marijuana in their pre-employment drug tests, and if the test returns positive for marijuana use, the person’s contract is terminated, despite marijuana being legal.
A recent case shows precisely how strict Walmart is about its zero-tolerance drug policy. An Arizona woman worked for Walmart and had an accident where a bag of ice fell on her wrist. After treatment, she went back to work and was subjected to a drug test. The woman was also the holder of a valid medical marijuana card that allowed her to use marijuana at night to help with her medical conditions. Walmart fired her due to the result of her drug test. There was no evidence that the woman’s marijuana use impacted her work.
In fact, in the ensuing lawsuit, Walmart admitted that they fire employees who test positive for marijuana as a matter of policy, regardless of state laws to the contrary. Arizona law states that an employer is prohibited from basing employment decisions on positive marijuana drug tests unless they are able to prove that the person was under the influence of drugs at work. This situation led to the court to support the woman against Walmart’s decision to terminate her employment.
However, while that particular case has a happy ending, it is not likely that the same can be said for all employees. If you’re working at Walmart, be aware that you can be penalized for using a legal substance in your own time, if you fail their random drug test. Cases like this emphasize precisely how important it is that you know your rights when it comes to drug tests and employment law.
Resources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24023812
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/urine-ph
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/medical-marijuana-2018011513085
