Does Kroger Drug Test? (all you need to know)
As one of the leading employers in the retail industry in the United States, Kroger provides a large number of employment opportunities for job seekers and conducts background checks before sending out employment letters.
So, if you’re a potential employee applying for a position at Kroger, you might be wondering – does Kroger drug test as part of a background check? Here’s what I found!
Does Kroger Drug Test?
Most Kroger stores conduct pre-employment drug testing of prospective employees and periodic testing of current employees. Typically, Kroger conducts oral and urine drug tests to detect substances, and if the test comes back positive, employment may be terminated.
If you’d like to learn more about when Kroger drug tests current employees, what drugs Kroger tests, and more, keep reading!
What is Kroger’s drug testing policy?
Kroger cares about what its customers think of its employees, so you can be sure to pass a drug test before the company hires you.
In accordance with Kroger’s Code of Ethics, the company upholds strict ethical, ethical and legal standards and expects employees to abide by them.
As part of its pre-employment screening of potential employees, Kroger conducts drug tests on candidates as well as initial background checks.
While some Kroger employees confirm that drug testing is a mandatory part of the hiring process, this isn’t a certainty in all cases (some stores do it, others don’t).
In general, drug testing can be required if a company deems it necessary to evaluate the behavior of a potential employee.
What happens if I test positive for a drug?
A positive drug test by a Kroger employee could result in termination of employment. So if you’re a regular drug user, you might want to avoid drugs when interviewing at Kroger.
According to substance use experts, you need to be off drugs for at least 4 days to a week to pass a drug test.
Kroger may offer you employment before submitting your drug test, so remember that your employment is temporary and will only be confirmed after you successfully pass your drug test.
Since you can’t be sure when you’ll be tested, it’s best to avoid getting excited throughout the process (starting a few days before the process).
What types of drug tests does Kroger use?
According to several reports, Kroger primarily uses simple mouth swabs to conduct drug tests for potential employees.
This swab test involves using a swab to collect your saliva, which is then sent to a laboratory for drug testing.
Note that the oral swab test can detect the drug in saliva up to 3-4 days after using the drug.
What drugs does Kroger test for?
The Kroger drug test checks for the presence of many mind-altering drugs that typically affect a person’s behavior.
These tests mainly check for the following 5 groups of substances:
- cocaine
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- methamphetamine
- opioids
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Does Kroger Drug Test Current Employees?
Kroger’s code of ethics requires employees to undergo drug testing when required, and it is up to store managers to decide whether to have these tests.
When does Kroger drug test employees?
Here’s how Kroger store managers are asking employees to take drug tests:
1. Suspect test:
An employee may be required to undergo a drug test if management believes that the employee is behaving inappropriately or if the employee exhibits behavior consistent with substance abuse.
Note that the company reserves the right to require a drug test at any time, and as an employee, you will need to comply if you want to keep your job.
2. Random test:
Although random drug testing rarely occurs, management at Kroger stores may, in accordance with company policy, require random drug testing of all employees.
3. Post-accident testing:
Another drug test you must undergo as a Kroger employee is the post-accident drug test.
As part of the company’s policy of ensuring a comfortable experience for customers, if you have an accident on the job, your store manager will ask you to undergo a drug test.
Also, if you hurt yourself, a colleague at work, or a client, you will have to take a drug test to prove that you were not acting under the influence of a substance.
However, please note that this is at the discretion of the store manager and that testing is often conducted as part of random or regular assessments of workplace safety.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on Kroger break policy, Kroger dress code and Kroger employee discounts.
in conclusion
Like most retail stores, Kroger conducts pre-employment drug tests and background checks on potential employees, but not at all U.S. locations (recreational drug use is legal in some states).
Kroger may also conduct regular drug testing of current employees, usually for five common substances, including cocaine and methamphetamine.