Does Staples Drug Test?

When you’re thinking about applying for a job at a Staples store or distribution center, it’s a good idea to find out about their drug testing requirements. Does Staples drug test employees before hiring?

In this article, we’ll answer some common questions about Staple’s drug testing policy, so you know what to expect during the hiring process. We’ll also go over the reasons you could be asked to take a drug test after you’re hired.

Does Staples Drug Test For Store-Based Positions?

In general, you won’t need to take a drug test when you apply for a job at a Staples store. The only position that appears to require a drug test is the TSA Customer Service Representative role.

If you apply for a TSA Customer Service role, you’ll be carrying out the identity verification and fingerprinting required for the TSA PreCheck program background checks.

TSA stands for the Transportation Security Administration which is the federal government agency responsible for carrying out passenger screening. The TSA PreCheck is an identity check and background screening process that gives approved individuals access to faster airport security screening, removing the need to go through a body scanner or remove shoes and belts.

Staples is an approved TSA PreCheck enrollment provider, and when you apply for this role, you’ll have to go through an enhanced background screening process which includes a drug test.

You’ll be employed by Staples, even though you’re carrying out work on behalf of the federal government.

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

Staples requires a drug test when you apply for a warehouse position. If you check through the job description for any warehouse role, you’ll see the drug test requirement listed.

Warehouses are dangerous places, and even though you won’t be thrilled at the prospect of needing to pass a drug test, you will without a doubt benefit from working in an environment that takes safety seriously.

At $18.75 an hour, the starting pay for Staples warehouse roles is much higher than the minimum wage rates on offer at their retail locations, and they offer a $1,000 sign-on bonus too, so being able to pass the drug test is definitely worth your while.

Read Also: Does Safeway Drug Test?

Do Staples Delivery Drivers Get Drug Tested?

Yes, they do. If you decide to apply for a delivery driver position you’ll need to pass a drug test. All job listings for delivery driver positions include the drug testing requirement in the qualifications section of the job description.

If you missed that section, you should go back and check over the basic qualifications for the job, because you need to have at least 1 year of truck driving experience and a clean driver’s license.

And even though you don’t need to hold a commercial driver’s license for this position, Staples still requires you to pass a Department Of Transportation (DOT) physical and drug screen.

A DOT physical makes sure that you don’t have medical problems that could make you risk out on the road. The physical includes a vision and hearing check, a check for high blood pressure, a urinalysis to check for diabetes, and a general physical examination.

The urine sample you’ll need to provide at your physical is not checked for drugs, you have to submit a separate sample at a testing location for the drug test itself.

A DOT urine test screens for the following substances:

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

The opioids tested for are codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and 6-Acetylmorphine.

The amphetamine screen also looks for MDMA/MDA (ecstasy).

Does Staples Drug Test At The Interview in 2024?

If the position you’re applying for requires a drug test, you’ll take the test once you’ve accepted a conditional offer of employment.

You could be offered the job at your interview though and asked to go for your drug test right away if they need you to start work the next day.

The Staples application process begins online, and the initial interview questions are automated. For most positions, a telephone interview is the next step, and a job offer could be made at that stage. Otherwise, a second interview will take place at the store or distribution center.

Employee feedback is mixed about the length of the hiring process, with some people being hired the day of their phone interview, or soon after an in-person interview, while others had to wait a month or longer.

Because the length of the hiring process is so variable, it’s impossible to estimate how much time you’ll have to get clean between applying for a job and taking your drug test.

Also, Read: Does Harris Teeter Drug Test Employees?

What Type Of Drug Test Does Staples Use?

As we’ve already mentioned, for a driving job at Staples you’ll need to take a DOT urine drug test.

Warehouse positions could require a urine test or a saliva test, as both types have been reported by employees.

In Staples stores, the only position that appears to require a drug test is TSA Customer Service Representative and there’s no available information about what type of drug test you’ll need to take for that position.

Whatever type of drug test you take, you’ll be tested for the most commonly abused illegal drugs which are:

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

To pass a urine test, you’ll need to stop using drugs so that the drug metabolites have time to clear your system and are no longer present in your urine sample. The detection window varies depending on the type of drug you use, and opiates, cocaine, and amphetamines can be present in your urine for up to 4 days after the last use.

Phencyclidine takes 14 days to clear your system, and marijuana can take up to 90 days depending on your level of use.

If you use marijuana more than a couple of times a month, it’s a good idea to use a DIY drug test, so you’ll know when you’re clean. DIY tests are easy to use, and they’re accurate if you buy a test from a reputable source, like Amazon, Walmart, Target, CVS, or Walgreens. Avoid the cheap tests from dollar stores, though.

See Also: How to pass a drug test with hand sanitizer.

When Do Staples Drug Test Employees?

Passing a pre-employment drug test is often the easiest part of an employer’s drug testing policy to comply with because you’re expecting the test and you can take steps to prepare. But once you’re hired, several types of drug tests can catch you out.

Random Drug Testing

When you complete your employment paperwork, you’ll agree to random drug testing. In practice, employees report that they’ve never heard of a random drug test actually taking place. So while you’re subject to random drug testing, it’s very unlikely that you’ll ever be faced with one.

Reasonable Cause Drug Testing

Reasonable cause drug testing is more likely if you’re working in the distribution center or driving a delivery truck because these are safety-sensitive positions and you could hurt yourself or others if you’re working under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In Staples stores, you could be asked to take a drug test if you appear to be intoxicated but employees report that managers don’t use reasonable cause drug testing unless you’re incapable of doing your job.

Even so, Staples stores are busy places and you’ll need to have your wits about you to deal with your workload. If you can’t work quickly and efficiently because of drug use, your manager could decide to fire you for performance reasons without needing to ask you to take a drug test first.

And don’t forget, when you work in a customer-facing role, a customer could report you to management if you look or act like you’re high while you’re serving them.

Reasons that you could be asked to take a drug test include:

• Smelling of drugs or alcohol
• Slurred speech
• Unsteady movements
• Drowsiness or falling asleep
• Erratic behavior
• Emotional outbursts
• Bloodshot eyes

Post Accident Drug Testing

All employees are subject to post-accident drug testing, and a drug test may be required if you’re involved in an accident that results in injury to yourself, a colleague, or a member of the public.

Employers are financially liable for workplace accidents and the associated costs run into many billions of dollars each year. If, however, an employee tests positive for drug or alcohol use, then the employer and their insurer no longer have to cover injury compensation, sick pay, or medical bills.

Workplace accidents are common, especially in distribution centers. If you receive a positive drug test after an accident, you’ll lose your job, and if workers’ comp is denied, you’ll have to cover your own medical bills. Being fired for a positive drug test could also mean that you’re ineligible for unemployment benefits.

Can You Use Medical Marijuana At Staples?

No. Under Staple’s drug and alcohol policy, you cannot be under the influence of any drugs while you’re at work.

Medical marijuana may be legal in your state but that doesn’t mean you can use it at work. The federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 illegal drug, and the FDA does not recognize any legitimate medical use for marijuana.

Most employers use federal drug classifications for their drug testing policies, which is why drug testing for marijuana is still commonplace even though 37 states have made medical marijuana legal.

If you chose to use marijuana at work, hoping that your drug use will go unnoticed, your job will be at risk if you’re involved in an accident, and if you’re injured and unable to work, you’ll have to cover your own costs.

Wrapping Up

You won’t need to pass a drug test to work at your local Staples store unless you’ve applied for a TSA Customer Service role.

When you apply for a job at a Staples distribution center, you should expect a drug test and this could be a saliva test or a urine test. Delivery drivers have to pass a DOT urine test.

All employees are subject to random, reasonable cause, and post-accident drug testing, although random drug testing is almost unheard of for store-based employees.

If a pre-employment drug test is required, it will take place after you’ve accepted a conditional offer of employment.

Staples has a strict drug-free workplace policy and you can’t use drugs or be under the influence of drugs, including medical marijuana, while you’re working or while you’re on company property.

Violating the drug and alcohol policy is grounds for dismissal.

Recently published: Does Tractor Supply Drug Test?