Like all large employers today, Aldi carries out a background check on prospective employees, but does Aldi drug test? Is your love of a little something on the weekend going to cause you a headache when you apply to Aldi?
Let’s find out.
Aldi supermarkets have over 2000 stores in 39 U.S. states which is great news for price-conscious shoppers. It’s good news for job seekers too because the retailer is always looking for hard-working staff to keep those stores running.
As the nation’s fastest-growing retailer Aldi will give you plenty of opportunities for career growth along with a competitive pay and benefits package.
See Also: Does Aldi Hire Felons?
Does Aldi Drug Test New Hires in 2024?
On all of their job listings, Aldi makes it very clear that employment may be contingent on the results of a drug test. The notice is right at the bottom, so it’s easily overlooked.
Based on that notice, you should expect to be asked to take a drug test at some point during the hiring process.
Make sure you’ve abstained from drugs for the period necessary to get yourself clean and you won’t have anything to worry about.
However, Aldi employees sharing experiences online have stated that pre-employment drug testing was dropped because of the labor shortage that developed during the covid response.
But with that experience now hopefully in the rearview mirror, Aldi could decide to reinstate drug testing for new hires at any time.
Even though they weren’t routinely drug testing new hires, Aldi’s official company policy on drug testing did not change, and as already mentioned, all of their job listings clearly state that passing a drug test may be necessary.
One category of applicants that were drug tested throughout the covid period, were prospective assistant store managers, so if you’re applying for that position, you are definitely going to need to take a drug test.
As part of their employee code of conduct, Aldi expects all employees to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. To this end, Aldi is a drug-free workplace, and taking drugs or being under the influence of drugs while performing your duties is strictly prohibited.
Their code of conduct also prohibits having drugs on your person or buying or selling drugs on Aldi premises.
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What Drugs Does Aldi Test For?
Aldi carries out a standard 5-panel drug screening. The drugs tested for are:
- Opiates
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Amphetamines and methamphetamine
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
It’s not clear if Aldi still tests for marijuana in states where the drug is legal. Some employees report that it isn’t on the test anymore, but the only way to know for sure is to call a store in your area and ask.
Tell them that you’re interested in applying for a job (no need to give your name) and want to know if your legal marijuana use is going to be a problem.
Drug detection windows for the drugs on a 5-panel urine test are as follows:
- Opiates – up to 4 days
- Cocaine – up to 4 days
- Marijuana – light use up to 30 days, much longer for heavy use
- Amphetamines and methamphetamine – up to 4 days
- Phencyclidine (PCP) – up to 14 days
To be certain that you’ll pass a pre-employment drug test, it’s a good idea to take a DIY drug test at home. These tests are accurate, and once you get the all-clear, you can apply for jobs and attend interviews without worrying about the outcome of a drug test.
You’ll find DIY drug tests at most pharmacies, at your local Walmart or Target, and from a variety of online retailers including Amazon.
Does Aldi Drug Test Urine Or Saliva?
When a drug test is carried out for any purpose at Aldi, you’ll be asked to take a urine drug test.
Drug tests are carried out at a clinic or sample collection facility.
For pre-employment drug tests, you’ll be notified of the need for a drug test after a successful interview, and told to call and make an appointment at the facility. You’ll be given 48 hours to get the test done.
When you arrive for your test, you’ll be given a sample container and asked to supply a minimum amount of urine – usually around 45ml. Make sure that you’ve drunk enough fluids so you can urinate. If you don’t produce enough urine for the sample, you’ll have to wait around until you need to use the bathroom again.
You use a private bathroom for the collection, and no one watches you pee. But the water to the washbasin will be turned off and the toilet water will have dye in it so that you can’t dilute your sample.
Once you’ve produced your sample, you’ll complete the required paperwork, then the sample will be sent to a lab for analysis.
Does Aldi Carry Out Random Or Any Other Drug Tests?
Aldi has a drug-free workplace policy, but there’s no indication that they enforce that policy by carrying out random drug testing.
Don’t take that as a green light to turn up for your shift under the influence though!
If you’re obviously stoned or high, you could be asked to take a drug test. And if you have an accident, you’ll be required to take a drug test.
Reasonable Cause Drug Testing
If you appear stoned or high at work, or if you smell of drugs or alcohol, you’re going to have a problem.
Managers have a responsibility to make sure staff and customers are in a safe environment in an Aldi store.
And customers will complain if they notice a stoned/high employee in a store. Some would happily go beyond a complaint to the store manager and contact corporate or share their outrage on social media.
So don’t risk going to work while you’re under the influence.
A lenient manager could choose to deal with the matter discreetly and send you home with a quiet warning to make sure you’re sober when you come into work in the future.
A more diligent manager will expect you to take a drug test. If you fail the test, you’ll be fired. Your manager’s job is on the line if you have an accident at work because you were high.
Behavior that could get you flagged for a reasonable cause drug test includes:
- Smelling of drugs or alcohol
- Lethargy or falling asleep
- Bloodshot eyes
- Slurred speech
- Out of character aggressive or argumentative behavior
- Paranoia
- Emotional outbursts
- A pattern of tardiness or excessive absences
- Failing to follow simple instructions
- Dropping things or being clumsy
Post Accident Drug Testing
Having an accident at work raises the possibility of legal issues for your employer. You could apply for workers’ comp insurance, and you could even decide to sue the company.
Obviously your employer and their insurance company do not want to be held liable for an injury that occurred because you were on drugs at the time.
To protect the company from drug-related financial loss, you’re required to take a drug test if you have an accident.
Pre-promotion Drug Testing
Another time you will face a drug test is if you decide to apply for a managerial position at Aldi.
Aldi will promote from within whenever possible, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to move up at your store or at another store in your area. And you will have to take a drug test as part of the promotion process.
Frequent Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Aldi Urine Drug Test?
If you’re required to take a drug test at Aldi, it will be a urine drug test. Your urine sample will be tested with a standard 5-panel drug screen for opiates, cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines & methamphetamine, and phencyclidine (PCP). Sample collection takes place off-site.
What Type Of Drug Test Does Aldi Use?
Aldi uses a urine test for pre-employment, reasonable cause, and post-accident drug testing. They don’t carry out random drug testing. Your urine sample will be collected off-site and sent to a lab for analysis using a standard 5-panel drug screen.
Do You Have To Pass A Drug Test To Work At Aldi?
Aldi has a drug-free workplace policy that all employees are expected to adhere to. Aldi job listings all include a notice that states that you may need to pass a drug test as a condition of employment. When you fill out your application, you’ll have to agree to drug testing.
Wrapping Up
Aldi is a drug-free workplace and they may require you to take a drug test when you apply for a job. All Aldi job listings include a drug testing notice, so you should assume that you will be asked to take a drug test during the hiring process.
During the covid labor shortage, Aldi appears to have dropped pre-employment drug tests for associate positions, but drug tests could be reinstated at any time, and Aldi’s drug testing policy was not officially changed in any way.
Aldi doesn’t carry out random drug testing on employees, but you will be subject to reasonable cause drug testing if you appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You will also need to take a drug test if you have an accident at work.
If your pre-employment drug test is positive, you won’t be hired. If you test positive once you’re hired, you will be fired.
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Robert Eric (a lover of Cats and Dogs) is the co-founder of HireFelonsJobs. In our search for a better life, after… A platform was created for the purpose of easing the search for ex-convicts.