Does Chick-Fil-A Drug Test?

If you are currently considering or have ever considered a position with the fast-food giant Chick-Fil-A, you have probably found yourself wondering, does Chick-Fil-A drug test before hiring? Whether you are a habitual user or never even considered doing drugs, you’ve likely pondered the question.

While Chick-Fil-A routinely runs pre-employment drug tests for most entry-level positions, there are always exceptions.

Before you can fully understand the fast-food giant’s testing procedures and employment guidelines, you need to get a feel for the company and what it stands for. 

Does Chick-Fil-A Drug Test in 2024?: A Brief History

Chick-Fil-A might be highly known for its delicious chicken and humorous cow advertisements, but you’ll be shocked when you learn more about the company’s long and storied inception into fast food.

Chick-Fil-A is also known for hiring thousands of employees across the world, not just in America. Chick-Fil-A made its inception into the fast-food market 72 years ago. This was in 1946, and the restaurant was first known to its customers as Dwarf House.

That all changed in 1967 when the company become to be known by its now loveable name, Chick-Fil-A. Since its foray into the market, Chick-Fil-A has opened over two thousand restaurants all over the world.

While most of them are located in the United States, they do serve a global market. As much as Chick-Fil-A is known for its chicken, the company is also known for its strong and unwavering Christian beliefs.

None of the restaurants are open on God’s Day, Sunday. This is at least true for US-based stores. This is all in part thanks to the founder, S. Truett Cathy, and her strong Southern Baptist religious beliefs.

You’ll also find that the restaurants do not open on Thanksgiving or Christmas. As you can imagine, Chick-Fil-A has created as many job opportunities for the people of the world as any other fast-food chain. Heck, Chick-Fil-A does just offer job opportunities, they offer lucrative career opportunities.

See Also: Does Sprouts Drug Test?

Chick-Fil-A Drug Testing Policies And Procedures

As was stated above, Chick-Fil-A does not conduct pre-employment drug testing. However, there is an exception to this statement, and this is where things get tricky. As for most standard and entry-level positions, you are going to be tested before being hired.

However, this doesn’t mean that the company doesn’t reserve the right to test you when you are officially brought on the team.

The test might not be conducted at or during the interview, but it might be conducted as soon as you agree to employment. If you refuse to take the test for any reason, your employment will be brought into question. Things can get even trickier when you start talking about other positions within the company.

Managers, security positions, accountants, and higher-up food chain positions might be tested pre-employment.

With all this in mind, these are not the only instances when Chick-Fil-A might drug test. There is a wide range of other reasons that employees might be required to take a drug test.

Random Testing

It is highly unlikely, but Chick-Fil-A does reserve the right to randomly drug test its employees whenever they see fit.

If they want to come in one day and randomly test you on the spot, they possess the legal right to do so. This is highly unlikely and not something you’ll likely see in any of the restaurants.

Suspicion Based Testing

One of the most common reasons for drug testing within Chick-Fil-A is suspicion-based. If one of the customers or managers informs someone that you are behaving strangely, you might be popped with a drug test. If a manager suspects that he or she smells marijuana or alcohol on your breath, you might be drug tested. 

Post-Incident Drug Testing

It goes without saying that the number one reason for drug testing within Chick-Fil-A is issue or accident-related. It is part of Chick-Fil-A’s company procedure to drug test employees are work-related incidents. If you are injured on the job for any reason whatsoever, you can be expected to take a drug test.

If you get into an incident with a customer, you might be required to take a drug test after. Of course, this depends on the type of incident and the severity.

The reason that Chick-Fil-A does this is that it relieves them of responsibility. You’ll find that there are a lot of employers that follow these guidelines.

Of course, the company will still likely need to cover the damages and repercussions of the following incident, but it gives them a sort of safety net or write-off when employees test positive or are under the influence.

For instance, if an employee falls and breaks an arm in the freezer the company will be required to cover any medical costs associated. This might even lead to a lengthy, drawn-out lawsuit. That is unless the company can prove the employee was under the influence of illegal substances.

If you fall and break your arm while under the influence, the company can say the reason you fell was that you were impaired. This frees them of any financial obligations.

They will no longer be legally required to cover your medical costs, and you will have no leg to stand on for a lawsuit. Drug testing is usually required in similar situations for similar reasons. 

How Will Chick-Fil-A Drug Test Its Employees

It is important to keep in mind that drug testing can vary from branch to branch. However, most Chick-Fil-A restaurants are likely going to require similar testing.

If you are injured on the job, randomly hit with a test, or accused of being under the influence while at work, you will likely be required to take what is known as a 5-panel drug test.

A 5-panel test is a urine-based test, and it derives its name from the fact that it scans the system for 5 illegal substances. Yes, this will include marijuana and alcohol along with prescription pills and amphetamines. 

After The Test

Employees will not be allowed to continue work until the results of the urine test are in. It usually only takes anywhere from 2 to 5 business days for the results to come back. Some may take longer. It all really depends on the testing agency and how many times they want to run the test.

Some companies may repeat the tests just to confirm their findings. It is even entirely possible in some scenarios that you might be required to retake the urine test.

If you are deemed to have illegal substances in your system, you will obviously be fired. It is even possible that you might be arrested or sued in some scenarios. It will honestly probably come down to the type of incident that occurred and the blowback the company wants.

If you injured a customer or damaged property while you were under the influence, you can almost guarantee that the company will come after you to pay for the damages. You might not even be allowed to collect your last couple of checks. 

Can I Refuse A Drug Test?

You’ve probably heard previous employees or friends tell you that you don’t reserve the right to refuse drug tests. This is not entirely true. As a legal citizen of the United States, you do reserve the right to refuse an employment drug test.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you’ll end up with the results in your favor, but it might be in your best interests to refuse.

For instance, if you damage a customer’s property or company property while under the influence, you can refuse the drug test that will likely follow. You cannot, however, expect to retain your position. You will more than likely be fired that go for refuse of company policy.

However, if you are under the influence and know your test will come back positive, it might be in your best interest to refuse the test. This might prevent you from being arrested and sent to the slammer.

Chick-Fil-A holds a zero-tolerance policy for the use of illicit substances while at work. This is something that you sign and agree to in writing when you are hired.

Wish you would have taken more time to read what you were signing. Well, in all honesty, it wouldn’t have mattered because if you refused to sign, you wouldn’t have been hired. 

What If You Are On Prescription Medications?

Things can, unfortunately, get even tricker and more confusing when it comes to prescription medications. It gets equally tricky for employees and employers.

There are some people that rely on prescription medications to function on a daily basis in society. Whether it be mental or physical ailments, this can be the case for many individuals today. With that in mind, this brings about new concerns and problems when it comes to drug testing.

The first thing you need to know is that just because you have a prescription for a medication and can prove that a doctor issued it, that doesn’t necessarily give you a free pass. Employers still reserve the right to fire you or hold you responsible in certain situations.

If you are required to take substances daily that are considered illegal this is something that should be discussed during the hiring process.

If you are later prescribed medications after your employment, you should notify your direct supervisor immediately. Even if you don’t suspect that an incident will occur, it is best to get the situation on paper.

Getting the information on paper not only protects your employer, but can protect you. It is always best upfront, open, and honest when it comes to prescription medication.

These medications have gotten a bad name over the years and people that use them are looked at with much more scrutiny.

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