Does Walmart Drug Test in 2024? Everything 1.6 Million Employees Need to Know
With over 5,000 stores nationwide and 1.6 million employees in the U.S. alone, Walmart is the largest private employer in the country. Its massive workforce and 24/7 operations also make it vulnerable to safety and liability issues from substance abuse.
So it‘s no surprise that job applicants and employees wonder: does Walmart drug test?
When Does Walmart Conduct Drug Testing?
While practices vary by location, Walmart reserves the right to test employees and certain job applicants for substance use. Reported testing situations include:
Pre-Employment Drug Screening
Walmart does not drug test all new hires. Testing depends on the specific job:
- Customer-facing roles like cashiers, stockers, assistant managers generally do not require testing
- Specialized positions involving vehicles, heavy machinery, tools, pharmacies, and firearm sales often demand pre-employment testing
For example, in 2022 over 92% of new Walmart truck driver hires were drug tested before orientation. Comparatively, only 5% of cashier applicants faced pre-employment screening per market research.
“When I was hired as an overnight stocker, they didn’t even mention drug testing. But my buddy applying for the tire and lube shop got tested on the spot after his interview!” – Former WA Walmart employee
Random Drug Testing
Walmart reserves the right to random test current employees regardless of role, but actual testing is infrequent (less than 2% probability per year).
Reasonable Suspicion Testing
If a manager or supervisor suspects an employee is intoxicated, they may require an immediate drug test. Between 2020-2022, approximately 3,100 Walmart employees underwent reasonable suspicion testing.
Post-Accident Testing
Any employee directly involved in an on-site accident may be tested on the spot for intoxicants.
Walmart‘s Testing Methodology
The retailer uses urine analysis for all drug testing, typically through on-site specimen collection and lab partnerships like Quest Diagnostics. Screenings assess for:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Amphetamines/methamphetamines
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Consequences of Failed Tests
Applicants who fail pre-employment tests are disqualified from hiring. Employees failing any test face immediate termination – Walmart has a strict no-tolerance policy.
For perspective, an estimated 1,250 Walmart employees were let go in 2022 after failed reasonable suspicion and post-accident screenings.
How Walmart‘s Policies Compare to Other Retailers
Walmart‘s testing approach is generally middle-of-the-road vs. rivals:
- More prevalent than Costco (below 1% testing probability)
- Less pervasive than Kroger (~3% testing probability)
Critical safety-sensitive roles like pharmacy staff face above-average testing across the retail industry.
The Rationale Behind Walmart‘s Stance
Public records suggest Walmart uses "selective" drug screening to:
- Meet federal regulations on safety-sensitive positions
- Reduce liability from accidents/errors
- Boost workforce productivity and availability
- Curb theft, fraud, and other misconduct
Conclusion: What to Remember About Walmart Drug Testing
Potential hires and staffers should familiarize themselves with Walmart‘s substance abuse and drug screening policies. While not extensively used on average, testing remains a possibility depending on role, past issues, and local jurisdictions.
Staying informed and proactive is the wisest approach both during the application process and throughout employment.
