Does PetSmart Drug Test?

Does PetSmart drug test? Yes, they do, but the retailer updated their drug testing policy in 2018, and things have changed quite a bit – in a good way!

In this guide, we’ll go over the updated PetSmart drug testing policy, so you know what to expect when you apply, and what the rules are once you become a PetSmart employee.

Let’s get started.

What Does PetSmart’s Policy On Drug Use Say?

In their Code of Ethics and Integrity, PetSmart forbids employees from working while they’re under the influence of drugs. This prohibition includes prescription medications if the medication affects an employee’s ability to work safely.

The policy does not allow employees to take drugs on PetSmart property, or to sell or distribute drugs in the workplace. That means you can’t take a substance into work to pass to a colleague.

Alcohol use is also forbidden unless alcohol is being served at an authorized company function and has been approved by a manager.

Violations of the drug and alcohol use policy will result in termination.

Does PetSmart Drug Test Retail Associates At The Interview?

No, PetSmart no longer carries out pre-employment drug tests on retail associates or on candidates applying for roles at PetSmart salons.

PetSmart used to drug test all applicants but decided to stop company-wide pre-employment drug testing as a cost-saving measure.

Even though they don’t drug test during the hiring process, make sure that you don’t show any signs of drug use at your interview.

PetSmart also no longer requires a drug test when staff applies for a promotion.

PetSmart Distribution Center Jobs, Do They Drug Test?

Yes, to work at one of PetSmart’s 7 distribution centers, you have to pass a drug test. Unlike retail stores, distribution centers can be very dangerous places to work, and PetSmart has an obligation to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to maintain safety.

PetSmart takes workplace safety seriously, and during orientation, new distribution center associates receive 120 hours of safety training.

You’ll be asked to take a drug test if you pass the interview stage. The drug tests don’t take place at the interview though, and you’ll receive a notification to attend a local clinic or lab to provide a sample a few days later.

Once you receive the notification, you’ll have 48 hours to attend the clinic to take the test.

Drug test results usually take 3 to 5 working days, so you won’t have to wait too long to find out if you passed.

Also, Read: Does Burlington Drug Test Employees?

Does PetSmart Carry Out Random Drug Testing?

As far as we know, there are no random drug tests currently carried out at PetSmart. However, PetSmart can ask you to take a drug test if you’re suspected of being under the influence of drugs at work, or if you’re in an accident at work and there is reason to believe that drug use could have caused the accident.

Reasonable Suspicion Drug Test

Your manager may ask you to take a drug test if you appear to be under the influence of drugs at work, or if you’re seen using drugs at work.

Signs that could give rise to suspicion include:

• Bloodshot eyes or abnormal pupil size
• Drug odor on breath or clothing
• Slurred speech
• Unsteady movements or clumsy behavior
• Failure to understand simple instructions
• Falling asleep or lethargy
• Mood swings or angry outbursts
• Paranoia or fearful behavior

Post-Accident Drug Test

Workplace accidents are common in distribution centers, and even in relatively safe environments like retail stores. Workplace injuries and the resulting medical bills, compensation, and time off work, cost employers and their insurers billions of dollars every year.

Because of these costs, employers will use post-accident drug tests even when they don’t require a pre-employment drug test. A positive result can mean that an employer doesn’t have to cover any of the costs resulting from the accident.

A post accident drug test is more likely if an injury requires off-site medical treatment or when significant damage to company property or equipment has occurred. In less serious cases, managers may choose to overlook the accident, so no drug test will be necessary.

What types of accidents and injuries happen at PetSmart? Slips and falls, injuries moving and lifting heavy items, and cuts are all common, plus there’s one type of injury that you won’t usually get at other workplaces – animal bites.

And surprisingly, you could have to take a drug test if a bad-tempered pet sinks its teeth into your arm. If this happens, management can’t show any discretion because the accident has to be recorded since company policy states that you must receive a tetanus shot at a clinic following a bite. When an accident is recorded, a drug test is part of the reporting procedure.

What Type Of Drug Test Does PetSmart Use?

Whenever you’re asked to take a drug test at PetSmart, the test will be a urinalysis. For this kind of drug test, you’ll need to visit a local medical clinic or drug testing facility to provide a urine sample.

You give your urine sample in a private bathroom, and no one will watch you.

After you’ve finished producing your sample, the technician will check the temperature of your urine, and this temperature check is the first of several adulteration checks that will be carried out to ensure the integrity of your urine sample.

Which Drugs Does PetSmart Test For?

The PetSmart drug test looks for the most commonly abused illegal drugs and some prescription medications.

The drugs tested for include:

• Opiates
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Amphetamine and methamphetamine
• Phencyclidine (PCP)
• Benzodiazepines
• Barbiturates
• Methadone
• Ecstasy

Urine tests can detect most of these drugs for up to 4 days since the last use, but marijuana can have a much longer detection window depending on how often it’s used, and the quantity taken.

• One time use – 5 to 8 days
• 2 to 4 times a month – 11 to 18 days
• 2 to 4 times a week – 23 to 35 days
• 5 to 6 times a week – 33 to 48 days
• Daily use – 49 to 90 days

PetSmart uses federal drug classifications for its drug testing policy and that means that testing positive for marijuana will cause you to fail the drug test unless your state has passed a law which protects employees.

Even though marijuana is legal in many states for medical and recreational use, it’s still an illegal drug at the federal level.

If you use marijuana on a regular basis, take a DIY drug test to make sure the drug is out of your system before you apply for a position at a PetSmart distribution center.

What Happens If You Fail The Drug Test?

If your urine sample tests positive, you’ll be contacted by a Medical Review Officer (MRO). An MRO is a physician trained to analyze drug test results.

When the MRO contacts you, they’ll ask you about medications you take to determine if a legitimate prescription drug or over-the-counter medication could have caused the positive result.

You’ll need to show proof for any prescription medications you take, and your prescription must be current. So, for example, taking pain pills that were left over from a prescription you filled months ago wouldn’t be accepted, nor would taking prescription medication that you obtained without a doctor’s prescription.

If the MRO finds that you have a legitimate reason for the substance found in your sample, then your test result will be amended.

However, following PetSmart company policy, you aren’t allowed to work under the influence of prescription medication if it impairs your ability to work safely, and the MRO will look at the amount of the drug detected and determine if the level found would result in impairment.

If you need to take a prescription medication, you should discuss its effects with your doctor and if the impairment is a possibility, you should let your manager know.

Can You Reapply To PetSmart If You Fail A Drug Test?

Yes, if you fail a pre-employment drug test you can reapply, but your details will be on their system and it may automatically reject your new application because of the failed drug test. It’s not clear how long the system keeps your details, but you should wait at least 90 days before making a new application since that’s how long most companies keep applications in their system.

What if PetSmart fired you for failing a reasonable suspicion or post-accident drug test? Again, the first hurdle you’ll need to get over is the application system. As an ex-employee, your record will be flagged as either eligible for rehire or not eligible for rehire.

If you’re not eligible for rehire, your application won’t get any further. But if you are eligible for rehire, you’ll have to show why the previous drug use issue is no longer a concern.

Summary

Thanks to a change in company policy, PetSmart no longer carries out pre-employment drug testing for retail or grooming associates. Candidates applying for jobs at a PetSmart distribution center will still need to pass a drug test during the hiring process, though. Drug tests take place off-site, several days after a successful interview.

Once hired, all employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing and post-accident drug tests. All drug tests will be a urinalysis which looks for commonly abused illegal drugs and prescription medication.

The PetSmart drug use policy prohibits drug use at work and does not allow employees to work while under the influence of illegal drugs. The policy also prohibits employees from working under the influence of prescription medications if those medications impair their ability to work safely.