Does Walmart Drug Test New Hires?

Getting hired for an entry-level position is usually a very simple process because there’s no need to possess extensive qualifications or have a track record of similar work. Yet for many people, applying for a basic job at Walmart brings with it one major concern – “Does Walmart drug test new hires in 2024?”

Walmart’s current drug testing policy requires a drug test for certain safety-sensitive positions. But for the majority of hourly paid associate positions, passing a pre-hire drug test won’t be necessary.

Walmart is the world’s largest retailer and a huge employer.

With a good working environment and competitive pay and benefits, the company attracts waves of job seekers every year.

In this guide, we’ll go over who, why, and when Walmart drug tests, and we’ll tell you which type of test they use, and if they do drug tests during interviews, or at orientation.

Does Walmart Drug Test At Orientation in 2024?

Walmart conducts pre-hire drug testing for some associate positions and most managerial roles. Employees are also subject to drug tests during the course of their employment under certain conditions.

When you apply for a job with Walmart, you will have to pass a drug test if your role will require you to operate dangerous machinery or equipment, drive a vehicle, work in the pharmacy, or carry out security functions.

For example, some departments, including the deli department and the auto shop, will require a drug test, while applying for a job on the checkouts or stocking shelves won’t.

We’ve compiled a fuller list a little lower down the page.

The other times you may need to take a drug test are if you apply for a promotion to a managerial position, are suspected of being under the influence of drugs, or are involved in an accident at work.

During your orientation session, you’ll have various company policies explained to you, including Walmart’s drug and alcohol use policy.

Then you’ll sign your employment contract, which acknowledges that you’ve been informed of the policies and agree to abide by them.

Do They Use Urine Or Saliva?

If you’re asked to take a drug test as a Walmart employee or job applicant, the drug test they use is a urine test.

Walmart doesn’t drug test in-house, they send you to a nearby clinic where you’ll give your sample.

When you take the test, you’ll be given a small cup and directed to a bathroom.

Fill the cup to the required level as you urinate, then hand the cup containing your urine sample to the technician.

They will check the temperature of your urine to make sure you haven’t diluted the sample. Then the sample is sealed in your presence and you’ll sign a form to confirm the sealing of the chain for custody purposes.

At the lab, your urine sample will be tested for common drugs, including

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

When Do They Drug Test?

Walmart carries out drug testing during its pre-employment checks for some applicants and when an employee is being promoted to a managerial position.

They don’t test you at your interview, but you’ll need to take a drug test soon afterward if they decide to hire you.

Employees can also expect to undergo a drug test if there is reason to suspect that an associate is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Drug testing may also take place if you’ve been involved in an accident at work.

Pre-employment Drug Testing At Walmart

If the role you’ve applied for is one that requires a drug test, you’ll be asked to take a drug test after you have received and accepted a conditional offer of employment.

Conditional offers of employment are often made right away, so don’t make an application unless you know you’ll pass the test.

Here’s a scenario for you.

You fill in an online application for a deli job in the morning. After lunch, you get a call to schedule an interview. One hour later, you’re talking with the hiring manager at the store. She describes the job requirements, tells you the pay and the hours, and asks you if you want the job. You say yes.

Now you’ve got a conditional job offer, and it happened just a few hours after you first applied.

Once a job offer is on the table, Walmart carries out its pre-employment checks, which include a Wal-Mart background check and if the position requires it, a drug test.

To Work In These Walmart Departments, You’ll Need To Pass A Drug Test

You’ll need to pass a drug test if you’re applying for a safety-sensitive role.

Safety-sensitive roles are positions where you’ll be operating machinery or equipment that could be dangerous if it’s not used in the proper way, or if it’s operated by a drug-impaired individual.

Walmart needs to know that it can trust employees to work competently in the following departments.

Before proceeding; check if Walmart Hire Convicted Felons.

Deli Department

In the deli department, you’ll use slicing machinery, cleavers, and knives. A slight lapse in concentration could result in serious injury to yourself or to your coworkers.

Autoshop and Tire Center

When you work on customer vehicles, you’ll need to safely operate ramps and jacks and use power tools. And of course, you’ll be responsible for carrying out maintenance work on vehicles. That work needs to be carried out responsibly to ensure the safety of the customer and other road users.

Pharmacy

Working in the Walmart pharmacy means you’ll have access to all kinds of pharmaceutical drugs. Walmart won’t risk giving a drug user access to a room full of medications, and they couldn’t put customer safety at risk by having an impaired worker fill prescriptions incorrectly.

Sporting Goods

The primary concern for the sporting goods department is firearms. Walmart sells guns and ammunition, and for obvious reasons, safety and staff competence have to be the absolute priority around firearms.

Maintenance

As a Walmart associate in the maintenance department, you’re in a very responsible position. Customer and staff safety is in your hands as you keep systems in good working order, look out for hazards, carry out repairs and operate maintenance equipment.

Security

Walmart security staff have to be alert and on their toes at all times. You’re responsible for protecting company property and for staff and customer safety.

While at work, you need to be observant and able to make sound decisions, complete reports, detain shoplifters following company protocol and provide evidence as needed.

As you can see from those brief job outlines, it’s imperative for staff to be clear-headed and focused at all times, and pre-employment drug testing is one way that Walmart strives to maintain a safe and productive environment for staff and customers.

Walmart Driver Drug Tests

If you’re applying for a job as a Walmart driver, you’ll have to take a Department of Transportation (DOT) approved drug test.

As well as the pre-hire drug test, you’ll be subject to random drug tests, routine drug tests, reasonable cause drug tests, and post-accident drug tests.

Here are the drugs a 5-Panel DOT drug test screens for:

• Opioids – Codeine, Morphine, Heroin, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone.
• Marijuana
• Cocaine
• Amphetamines – Amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, MDA.
• Phencyclidine (PCP)

Walmart Pre-Promotion Drug Testing

While Walmart doesn’t drug test for the majority of its hourly-paid associate roles, it does drug test for many managerial positions. And that includes drug tests when existing employees apply for promotions.

If you’re hoping to move up the Walmart ladder, you’ll need to be drug-free to make it to the next rung.

As well as taking a drug test, you’ll go through another background check when you apply for a promotion.

If you’ve got any reason to believe that your background report could be a problem, it’s a good idea to order your own report before you apply for a promotion so you know exactly what the background check will uncover.

Walmart Reasonable Cause Drug Testing

Walmart operates a drug-free workplace, and its Code of Ethics encourages all Walmart employees to report coworkers who present a safety risk to themselves or others.

Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol is considered a safety risk at Walmart.

In addition to coworkers reporting you if they suspect you’re under the influence of drugs at work, customers can also make a complaint, and don’t forget the security cameras trained on you while you work.

If you’re under the influence at work, someone is going to notice. And once that happens, you’ll have to submit to a drug test. Refusing to agree to a drug test will be treated as though you received a positive drug test.

Post-Accident Drug Testing At Walmart

Walmart reserves the right to carry out post-accident drug tests, but they still have to remain within the law when they do.

It should go without saying that if you are impaired because of drugs and you caused an accident, you will be tested and you will lose your job.

But to comply with the law on post-accident drug testing, an employer must have reason to believe that drugs were a causal factor.

OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, states that automatic post-accident drug testing is illegal.

Do They Drug Test For Marijuana?

When Walmart carries out a drug test, marijuana is one of the most common drugs screened for.

This is even the case in states where recreational or medicinal use of marijuana is now legal.

If you fail a drug test because of medical marijuana use and find yourself at risk of losing your job, you should submit proof of your medical need and seek legal advice.

Wondering If You’ll Pass A Walmart Employment Drug Test?

Instead of wondering when you can safely apply for a job at Walmart, take an over-the-counter drug test and find out.

You can buy a 5-Panel urine test from any pharmacy and from many online retailers. You can even pop into your local Walmart and pick one up.

Test a sample of your urine following the instructions that came with the test, then read your results.

If your test is clear, then you can apply and take any drug test that’s needed without worrying.

Frequent-Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Departments Do They Drug Test?

Walmart carries out pre-hire drug testing for associate roles in safety-sensitive departments where employees use dangerous equipment or have access to stored drugs.

These departments are Deli, Auto Center, Pharmacy, Sporting Goods, and Maintenance. You can also expect a drug test for managerial positions in any department and for Asset Protection (security) roles.

Does Walmart Urine Drug Test?

Yes, all Walmart employment drug tests are urine tests. When Walmart drug tests an employee or potential new hire, they use a urine drug test. A urine drug test screens for marijuana, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP).

Does Walmart Drug Test On The First Interview?

Walmart doesn’t carry out drug tests at interviews. And for many positions, no drug test is required at all. If your interview was successful, you will receive a conditional job offer. At that point, Walmart may ask you to take a drug test if one is needed for the role you’ve applied for.

Do You Have To Pass A Drug Test For Walmart?

Walmart carries out drug tests in some circumstances. You may need to pass a drug test during your pre-hire background check for some associate roles in safety-sensitive departments, and for managerial positions.

Walmart may also require a drug test if you appear to be under the influence of drugs at work and after an accident at work.

If you’ve applied for a driving job at Walmart, you will have to pass a drug test under Department of Transportation rules.

What Does A Walmart Employment Drug Test Test For?

The drug test that Walmart uses screens for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). If you’re asked to take a drug test, you’ll need to provide a urine sample within a certain period of time.

What Happens If You Fail A Drug Test At Walmart?

If you fail your drug test during a pre-employment check, then you won’t be hired. If you fail a drug test as an employee, then you will lose your job. Walmart has a drug-free workplace policy.

Conclusion

Walmart no longer drug tests all prospective employees. If you’re going to work in a department where you’ll be using dangerous machinery or equipment, you will need to pass a drug test.

A drug test is also needed for distribution center drivers, pharmacy staff, and those applying for managerial positions.

Once you’re working for the company, you will be subject to a drug test if you appear to be under the influence of drugs, or if you’re involved in an accident and drugs could have played a part.