Does Safeway Drug Test?

A common question asked by jobseekers is, does Safeway drug test? The answer is, yes they do, but only for some positions. In this article, we’ll go over the pre-employment drug testing process at Safeway so you know what to expect. We’ll also take a look at the other reasons you could need to take a drug test once you’re hired.

Safeway employs thousands of workers in its supermarkets, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants. The retailer is always hiring, and the vast majority of open positions are for entry-level roles, so you should be able to find a suitable position even if you don’t have any retail experience.

Does Safeway Drug Test For Store Positions?

When you apply for a job at a Safeway store, a drug test is unlikely. Employee feedback about drug testing is mixed, but the vast majority of reports say that there is no drug testing in 2022. Safeway used to drug test for all positions, but over the years most pre-employment drug testing has been phased out.

None of the numerous store-based job listings we looked at included passing a drug test as a condition of employment, but if you want to be absolutely certain that you won’t need to take a drug test, there are a couple of things you can do.

• Call the store and ask. If the thought of being so direct makes you nervous, ask if they test for prescription drugs. You’ll probably be told that they don’t test for any drugs at all.
• Visit the store yourself or ask a friend to go for you, and ask a few employees if they had to take a drug test.

Do You Have To Pass A Drug Test For Warehouse Positions?

Warehouses are dangerous places, and the job listings we looked at all specified that applicants will need to pass a drug test.

Employees also mention taking a drug test for warehouse roles, so you should make sure you’ll be able to pass a drug test before you apply.

Does Safeway Drug Test For Manufacturing Plant Positions?

Nothing we could find indicates that a drug test is necessary when you apply for an entry-level job in Safeway’s manufacturing division. Drug testing at Safeway seems to be focused on safety-sensitive positions, and if a drug test is required, you should see a notice on the job description.

For example, the job description for an experienced maintenance technician at the Safeway beverage manufacturing plant states that all applicants for the role must pass a drug test.

Do Truck Drivers Have to Pass A Drug Test?

Safeway hires two kinds of truck drivers. Those that need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive heavy trucks between Safeway distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and stores, and those that don’t need a CDL to drive smaller trucks and vans making deliveries to customers’ homes.

CDL Drivers

Applicants for CDL positions will need to take a drug test because all CDL driving positions are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). When you apply for a CDL driver job, you’ll have to pass a DOT urine test which tests for the following substances:

• Opioids
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Amphetamines and methamphetamine
• Phencyclidine (PCP)

The DOT also requires random drug testing for CDL holders, as well as reasonable cause and post-accident testing.

Failing a DOT drug test means that you can’t do any job that requires a CDL until you’ve completed the Return To Duty process. The positive drug test result is also held in the Drug and Alcohol Clearing House database.

Non-CDL Drivers

These driving jobs aren’t regulated by the DOT, but Safeway still asks you to pass a drug test. Employees giving feedback about the hiring process for Safeway delivery drivers, state that they took a mouth swab drug test.

Does Safeway Drug Test During Orientation Or At The Interview?

As far as we can tell, Safeway carries out drug tests after the interview. So if you need to take a drug test for the position you’ve applied for, be prepared to take a saliva test when you attend your interview.

If you’re given a date for your orientation and haven’t already been asked to take a drug test, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to take one on your first day.

Applicants for CDL driving jobs may be asked to submit a urine sample after their interview or be given paperwork to take to a nearby testing facility.

What Kind Of Drug Test Does Safeway Do?

For most positions that require a pre-employment drug test, you’ll be asked to take a saliva drug test.

If you’ve never taken a drug test before here’s what will happen.

You’ll be asked to avoid eating or drinking anything for about 30 minutes, this is so you can’t use anything to coat the inside of your mouth or alter your saliva.

For the test, all you need to do is hold an absorbent sponge swab in your mouth while it collects your saliva. The swab has a built-in indicator that changes color when enough saliva has been collected.

Then the swab is placed inside the test container and the results are read off the indicator on the side when the test finishes analyzing your sample.

Reasonable cause drug tests and post-accident drug tests will also be carried out with a saliva swab unless your work location doesn’t have any available, in which case you’ll be taken to a testing facility where a saliva or urine test will be carried out.

A saliva test can detect substances for 48 hours after last use.

Which Drugs Does Safeway Test For?

Pre-hire drug testing looks for opiates, cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines and methamphetamine, and phencyclidine.

We looked at the drug testing policy detailed in the union agreement for one Safeway store, and it’s safe to assume that the main points of the drug testing policy will be the same for all locations.

The drug testing policy states that an employee can be tested for any controlled substance or drug, and that includes medications that can affect mental or physical functions and impair your ability to do your job safely.

If you’re taking a prescription or over-the-counter medication which carries a safety warning about impairment, you’re required to notify your manager. Your manager will decide if you’ll continue to work in your current position, need to be moved to a different position, or will be sent home with or without pay.

How Often Does Safeway Drug Test?

Safeway won’t ask you to take a drug test unless you give them a reason too. If you’re clearly under the influence of drugs while you’re working, you could be asked to take a reasonable cause drug test. Drug testing is also required after an accident in some circumstances.

Reasonable Cause Drug Testing

If you show signs of being intoxicated at work or while you’re on company property (including the break room and parking lot) you could be asked to take a drug test. You can also be required to take a test if you’re found in possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia.

Signs of intoxication include:

• Smelling of drugs
• Slurred speech
• Unsteady movements
• Bloodshot eyes
• Erratic behavior
• Aggression
• Inability to follow simple instructions

As long as you don’t go to work while you’re under the influence of drugs, you won’t ever need to take a reasonable cause drug test.

Post Accident Drug Testing

You could be asked to take a drug test after a workplace accident in the following circumstances.

• If the accident involves a fatality.
• If you or another person needs the attention of a medical professional.
• If the accident results in loss of work time.
• If company property is damaged.

You might not realize it, but workplace accidents are commonplace, even in a low-hazard environment like a supermarket. Some supermarket departments are more hazardous than others – the meat department for example – but slips and falls are common injuries, as are injuries caused by repeated lifting and carrying.

Testing positive after an accident can have other consequences besides losing your job. Your employer can use a positive drug test result to deny your workers’ comp benefits and sick pay.

Can You Use Medical Marijuana At Safeway?

If you’re using medical marijuana in a way that causes you to be under the influence of marijuana at work, you’re violating the Safeway drug policy.

While Marijuana may be fully legal in your state, it’s still 100% illegal at the federal level where it’s classified as a Schedule 1 illegal drug.

For the purposes of reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing, the vast majority of employers who drug test employees use the federal classification, and testing positive for marijuana at Safeway is grounds for dismissal.

What Happens If You Fail A Drug Test At Safeway?

If you test positive for drugs on a pre-employment drug test, you won’t be hired.

As an employee, a positive drug test could result in disciplinary action being taken against you.

After a positive drug test, your sample will be retested for confirmation of the result using a more detailed drug screen. If your sample remains positive, you’ll be placed on unpaid leave. You’ll have the opportunity to provide an explanation to your manager, and you’ll be given 48 hours to provide your prescriptions or other medical documentation.

The company will then investigate and decide what action to take.

If your explanation was satisfactory, you can return to work and you’ll be paid for your time off, but if they reject your explanation, you’ll be subject to disciplinary procedures and possible termination.

Summing Up

Safeway carries out pre-employment drug testing for some positions. Drug tests are not usually required for store-based positions, but applicants for warehouse roles, driving jobs, and some manufacturing positions will need to pass a drug test.

Once you’re hired, you’ll also be subject to reasonable cause drug testing and post-accident drug testing.

The type of drug test used is a saliva test unless you’re applying for a CDL driving job, in which case you’ll need to take the standard DOT urine test.

See Also: Does Best Buy Drug Test Before Hiring?