Does Starbucks Drug Test?

Do you want to apply for a job at Starbucks, but aren’t sure if the hiring process involves a drug test?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

In this Starbucks guide, we’ll answer all of your questions about drug testing at Starbucks. Let’s get started with the question that’s a big concern for a lot of wannabe baristas—does Starbucks drug test at the interview?

Does Starbucks Drug Test Employees at Interview in 2024?

In North America, the answer is, no, they don’t. You won’t need to take a drug test at your interview or at any point during the hiring process.

Isn’t that refreshing? A large company that doesn’t make you jump through so many hiring hoops.

According to reports, Starbucks receives over 1 million job applications every year, and out of that enormous pool, hires around 80,000 new partners.

Partners, by the way, Starbucks speaks for the employee.

With no shortage of applicants, the coffee king could be as picky as they want to be with their hiring requirements, but as far as Starbucks is concerned, what you do in your own time is your own business.

As long as you don’t come in to work under the influence of drugs, or use drugs on the premises, your drug use isn’t an issue.

The only exception to this is if you apply to a Starbucks located inside another establishment, like a Starbucks at a Target, Kroger’s, or Safeway store, or a Starbucks inside an airport terminal.

These Starbucks cafes aren’t operated by the Starbucks company. Instead, the owner of these locations is a licensee paying for the right to use the Starbucks name and sell Starbucks branded products. You won’t be a Starbucks employee, you’ll be employed by the associated business.

In these cases, you could need to take a drug test to comply with the rules of the other business. An easy way to find out about the drug testing policy is to call the Starbucks branch or look up the drug testing policy of the relevant company.

Related Article: Does Starbucks Hire Convicted Felons?

Does Starbucks Carry Out Random Drug Tests?

Again, the answer is no. Starbucks doesn’t have a random drug testing policy. You’ll be treated like a real human being instead of a piece of corporate property.

You’ll need to check the policy of your employer if you will be working at a licensed location, though.

When Does Starbucks Drug Test?

You’re probably thinking that there must be a catch in here somewhere. Well, there’s a little one.

Starbucks reserves the right to drug test partners who appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work.

Starbucks operates a drug and alcohol-free workplace as a matter of safety, and to maintain a respectable company image.

If you’re intoxicated and a threat to the safety of your Starbucks partners, or at risk of damaging the company’s reputation, then of course your manager is going to be concerned.

You could be given a drug test in this situation, or you could be told to go home and never come to work on drugs again.

The other situation where a drug test could be required is after an accident. If you injured yourself or someone else at work, you could be asked to take a drug test.

What Kind Of Drug Test Does Starbucks Use?

Drug testing at Starbucks is rare, but the few employees who have mentioned drug testing at Starbucks have said that the company can ask you to take a urine drug test or a saliva drug test.

Either way, the drugs tested for are the standard substances on a 5-panel drug screen:

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

It’s not clear how Starbucks test for alcohol, but the usual method is to test with a breathalyzer or a blood test.

Testing isn’t carried out on-site, and you’ll be instructed to attend a nearby clinic to give your sample.

See Also: Does Ace Hardware Drug Test?

Can You Use Medical Marijuana At Starbucks?

The Starbucks drug policy does not allow partners to be under the influence of drugs, or to use drugs use at work. This includes medical marijuana.

Although marijuana has been legalized in some states for both recreational and medical use, it remains a schedule 1 illegal drug at the federal level.

Since companies like Starbucks base their drug policies on these federal classifications, medical marijuana is still prohibited unless the state you live in has enacted specific legislation requiring employers to accommodate medical marijuana users.

So what should you do if you’re a medical marijuana user? Well, it’s your job on the line so please don’t base your decision solely on internet advice, but you can consider the following points to help you decide what to do.

Starbucks rarely carries out any form of drug testing, so as long as you are discreet and don’t take so much that it becomes obvious, then you will ‘probably’ be okay.

That means:

• Don’t take any marijuana during your shift.
• Don’t take marijuana in a way that makes you smell of the substance.
• Don’t take marijuana in an amount that would make your drug use impossible to ignore.
• Don’t take marijuana in an amount that would leave you cognitively impaired to the extent that you would be a danger to yourself or others.
• Don’t tell your Starbucks partners.
• Don’t tell your manager.
• Don’t use marijuana in the vicinity of the store.

If you use medical marijuana for anxiety, or for relief from chronic pain, you could find that a different THC-free cannabis product will suit your needs.

THC is the intoxicating substance in marijuana, and drug tests are designed to detect THC metabolites. CBD oil may offer relief from your symptoms and because it doesn’t contain any THC, it doesn’t cause impairment, and a drug test won’t pick it up.

Drug Testing At International Starbucks Locations

So far we’ve covered the drug testing policy at corporate-owned Starbucks coffee shops in the United States and Canada, where the vast majority of Starbucks stores are owned by Starbucks and therefore follow Starbucks policies.

What’s the deal in other western countries? Many Starbucks locations in other countries are owned by franchisees. This means that employers are free to set their own policies.

However, employee drug testing is something of an American curiosity, and therefore it would be unusual to face pre-employment drug tests or random drug testing.

So if you’ve googled ‘Does Starbucks drug test?’ from the United Kingdom where the majority of Starbucks stores are franchise owned, then don’t worry, you won’t need to take a drug test.

Employment drug testing is practically unheard of in the UK, and in the rare instances drug testing takes place, it’s for high-level or sensitive positions, and not for servers in coffee shops.

In Australia, Starbucks is corporate-owned, so those locations will follow the no drug testing corporate policy.

Maybe you’re searching about the Starbucks drug testing policy in Ireland. Starbucks in Ireland is not corporate-owned, all branches are franchises owned by Entertainment Enterprises. But once again, privacy for employees is a serious matter in European nations and, you won’t face a drug test if you apply for a Starbucks job on the Emerald Isle.

Okay, let’s move on to some other hiring requirements. We’ll keep our focus on U.S. Starbucks for the rest of this guide.

Is There A Background Check At Starbucks?

Yes. Even though the company is relaxed about pre-employment drug testing, they run a background check on every job applicant.

The Starbucks background check only takes place if Starbucks has decided to offer you a job. When this happens, you’ll receive a conditional offer of employment along with instructions for initiating your background check.

Make sure you’re keeping a close watch on your inbox (and junk/spam folder) so you don’t miss the email.

You’ll need to provide some ID and your social security number and answer a few basic questions about yourself to get the background check started.

The background check will go back for at least 7 years. And in some states, the background check can only go back 7 years and no further. These states are:

• California
• Colorado
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• New York
• Texas
• Washington

Starbucks is a second-chance employer. This means that they will consider applications from candidates with a criminal record and evaluate each candidate on a case-by-case basis. If you have a criminal record that will be uncovered during a background check you should discuss it at your interview.

Your offense won’t automatically disqualify you, but being dishonest about your past will.

How Long Does The Starbucks Background Check Take?

Often the background check can come back in as little as two to three hours, but you should allow for a week. During busy periods background, checks can take even longer.

Another instance where your background check could take longer is when you have a criminal record.

What Happens If You Fail The Background Check?

Sometimes the background check agency will advise the company that an individual is not recommended for employment and list the reason why.

If this happens in your case, you’ll receive a notice of pre-adverse action. The adverse action is having your conditional job offer withdrawn.

The notice of pre-adverse action will give you the opportunity to obtain, at no charge, a copy of your background report. You’ll also be given the option of appealing the decision.

Anytime you fail a background check, always ask for a copy of the report. You’ll be able to see how far back the company looked, which is useful information to have if you want to apply to them in the future.

You should also check the report carefully because mistakes on background reports are not uncommon. If there is a mistake, the background company has to correct the errors.

If your background information is correct, though, you can still appeal.

You just need to call the number on the letter and tell them that you want to appeal their decision. Starbucks will send you an email asking you for more information.

You’ll need to answer a few questions about your offense and your reasons for appealing, and then you can add any extra information that you feel will help your case.

Quick Recap

In most cases, Starbucks does not carry our pre-employment drug testing. Although you may be required to take a drug test if you’re applying to a licensed Starbucks in another store or an airport. In that case, you should look up the drug testing policy for that company instead of Starbucks.

Starbucks doesn’t carry out random drug tests, but you are not allowed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while you’re at work. If you appear to be intoxicated, Starbucks reserves the right to carry out a reasonable cause drug test and look for the most commonly abused drugs, using either saliva or a urine sample.

You may also face a drug test if you’re injured in an accident at work, or cause an injury to another person.

Starbucks has a very relaxed drug testing policy compared to many other large employers, which makes the coffee shop chain an attractive place to work for many recreational drug users.

Interesting Article: See List of Companies That Don’t Drug Test before hiring.