Kroger is one of the biggest retail companies in the US, second only to Walmart. If you want to work there, you will want to know: does Kroger drug test 2023?
Their Code of Ethics states that the company requires its employees to uphold the highest ethical, moral, and legal standards. At Kroger, all employees must submit to a scheduled or random drug test. However, drug testing at the company is rare in practice unless an accident leads to damaged property or injury to employees or a customer.
How Does Kroger’s Drug Testing Work?
The most common Kroger warehouse drug test is urine and saliva drug tests. When hiring new employees, the company screening is for five drugs, which are:
- THC
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Methamphetamine
- PCP
Once employed, the company performs random drug screening that looks for:
- Amphetamine
- Morphine
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- THC
Kroger employees charged with safety and security assignments are the most likely to be subjected to random drug tests. It is done to ensure there are no accidents at the work sites. When Kroger drug test kits are used for a test, it has to be done in accordance with federal and state laws.
The most common test used by Kroger is the mouth swab. It is preferred for being fast, cheap, and painless. A tester will use a cotton bud to take a saliva sample from your cheeks. The sample is sent to a lab where it is screened for drugs. The mouth swab test can detect drugs in your saliva sample for up to 72 hours after abusing the substance, according to a Department Of Health And Human Services study.
Saliva sample collection takes three minutes or less, and the results are delivered within 24 hours after being sent to the lab. The store manager determines the mouth swab test’s location, which can be at a testing center or the store’s office.
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Does Kroger Drug Test Entry-Level Positions?
Kroger conducts a pre-employment drug test during the hiring process. The drug test could be performed on the day of the first interview or earlier. When the schedule is set, you cannot delay or reschedule it.
After the pre-employment drug test, Kroger rarely conducts follow-up tests. With over 400 thousand employees, it is highly unlikely that the company would conduct an all-employee drug test. However, any employees suspected to be under the influence have to be subjected to a test.
However, every employee at Kroger can be subjected to the test. Whether a part-time or full-time employee, the company requires everyone to be subject to a drug test. That means the managers, cashiers, and all employees on the Kroger payroll can be required to take the test.
What Happens If You Fail To Pass Kroger Drug Test
If you fail a drug test, the company will not hire you. Additionally, if you fail a drug test while employed at Kroger, the company will most likely terminate your contract.
Kinds Of Drug Tests At Kroger
Kroger conducts periodic drug testing on new hires and existing employees. A store manager is given sole discretion on who and when to conduct a drug test. Here are some of the situations when a drug test may be performed.
Pre-Employment Testing
Before securing jobs at Kroger, all potential hires have to pass Kroger drug test. The test cannot be rescheduled or delayed.
Random Testing
While rare, Kroger stipulates in its policy that it can conduct a random drug test on any of its employees. The test, when ordered, cannot be delayed or rescheduled. Failing to submit to testing can employees careers with Kroger.
Reasonable Suspicion Testing
If a store manager deems your behavior suspicious or consistent with someone using drugs, you must submit to a drug test. An employee has to comply or risk having their contract terminated.
Post-Accident Testing
If you are wondering does Kroger drug test package handlers?, the answer is yes. The company will conduct drug tests as part of any post-accident investigation. The policy applies to any employee involved in an accident. It applies when you hurt yourself, a customer, or a fellow employee. The results prove you were not high on drugs when the accident occurred.
Questions And Answers About Kroger Drug Test
Here are some of the most common questions, and answers that people have regarding the Kroger drug testing policy.
What States Do Not Allow Drug Testing?
None. However, according to a study by the ACLU, various states have varying rules on drug testing. In some states, the employer has to provide prior notice to employees. Consequently, the Kroger drug test policy 2023 applies in all US states.
There are, however, some states where marijuana is legalized for recreational or medical use or both. Even in these states, employees can still be fired if they fail a THC drug test. According to various testimonials by past employees, Kroger errs on caution. As such, THC tests are done as usage could be a liability for the retailer.
How Do You Pass a Drug Test with Kroger?
Mouth swab tests are the most common tests used by Kroger to test for drugs. They are cheap and require little effort. If you are wondering how to pass the test, below are some useful tips to remember.
Most saliva drug tests can detect drugs for 72 hours after your last hit. However, it can be detected for up to a week if you are a frequent user. As such, it is advisable to stay off marijuana for up to a week before the job interview.
During the break, thoroughly brush and rinse your mouth thrice daily. Using mouthwash about twice a day will also help.
Before the test, you can use some neutralizing gum. Chew the gum thoroughly and swallow. It neutralizes the saliva for up to half an hour. If the interview lasts longer, have some gum in your pocket to chew and swallow before taking the test.
If there is going to be a urine test, using synthetic urine is your best solution. The urine passes any visual and medical tests with ease. It comes in a pack that maintains it at the right temperature. Before the test, you perform an at home drug test Kroger to confirm that your body has no THC.
A home drug test is as accurate as the drug test performed by Kroger. You can purchase a drug online for $20-$30. With Kroger drug test kit a, you are confident you will not fail your test.
How Long Does Kroger Take To Hire After Interview?
Kroger’s hiring process is quite simple. It often takes two weeks for most entry-level positions. The upper management and corporate positions might take longer. At most store positions, the process is complete two weeks after first applying.
After submitting an online application, and filling out the candidate profile, potential employees are directed to take an employment exam. It is a series of questions and statements with multi-choice answers designed to test personality and how they fit with the company.
Once they complete the online exam, the hiring manager will call and schedule an interview within a few days. The interview is easy and takes no more than 45 minutes. Questions include knowledge about Kroger, customer service experience, and the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses.
Once complete, the employee is given a background check form to fill out. You must complete the Kroger random drug test at most stores, which is often a mouth swab test. If you pass the background check and the drug test, you are given an offer letter and invited for training and orientation.
Why Do Companies Drug Test?
You have to pass the Kroger pre-employment drug screen because it significantly impacts the business’s bottom line. A study by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug dependence found that businesses lead to $81 billion in losses annually. These losses are in the form of the following:
- Healthcare
- Absenteeism
- Lost productivity
- Accidents
Additionally, drug use places the company like Kroger and federal express at risk of lawsuits, which can be quite costly. Consequently, Kroger and other companies conduct drug tests on random and current employees. It guards them against low employee productivity and the general risk of drug use in their workforce.
Can You Buy a Drug Test Kit at the Kroger Pharmacy?
Yes, Kroger sells a home drug test kit at their pharmacies. You can use it to screen yourself for drugs at home.
What Happens if You Fail the Kroger Drug Test?
Once you fail the drug test, your current employment contract will likely be terminated. If you fail the drug screen during the pre-employment phase, you will not receive a job offer from Kroger.
Conclusion
Kroger’s drug testing policy is in line with the policy of many US companies. All current and former employees can be subject to random drug tests. As such, it is recommended that you avoid drugs at least a week before the interview and while at work.
Positive drug results can lead to you being denied a position or being fired from your current job. The company uses both the urine test and the saliva swab test.
