Does Safeway Drug Test?

Drug testing on pre-employment is a process that many companies and stores perform in the US. We have already seen companies like Randstad, Goodwill, Harbor Freight, and Kroger have strict drug testing policies. So now we have another question: “Does Safeway drug test?” and we will get a detailed answer to this question in this post.

Does Safeway Drug Test for Pre-Employment Interview?

Safeway requires new employees to take a drug test. They also re-test employees who come back to work at Safeway. The tests happen at the store or a nearby clinic. If someone passes the test, Safeway will hire them. 

Also, if someone fails, Safeway will not give them a job. Safeway does the testing to make sure employees are not using illegal drugs. The policy applies to most Safeway locations in the United States. 

Do All Safeway Store Drug Tests?

No, this is not a condition for every Safeway store that they drug test their employee before hiring for most of the positions.

What Are the Positions That Require a Drugs Test at Safeway?

Safeway conducts drug testing on candidates for several positions across their stores and facilities. Moreover, this helps ensure employees in critical roles are not under the influence of illegal substances. Here are the positions that may require a drug test when you apply for them.

Warehouse

Warehouse workers at Safeway distribution centers are drug tested. Their job duties involve safely operating equipment and accurately filling orders to stock stores. Being impaired could risk injury or mistakes.

Manufacturing Plant

Employees at Safeway’s manufacturing plants, which produce some store-brand items, also undergo testing. Working in a factory environment requires clear judgment to follow safety procedures.

Truck Drivers

Truck drivers transporting goods between Safeway locations are screened for drug use. Driving large delivery trucks on public roads necessitates complete alertness and coordination. An impaired driver could endanger others.

Requiring drug tests for these safety-sensitive roles allows Safeway to minimize risks and maintain high standards across its operations. The policy covers positions most critical to store operations and public safety.

What Type of Drug Test Does Safeway Conduct on Employees?

Safeway mainly uses saliva drug testing for new employees. This test checks for drug use by analyzing a saliva sample.

The process is quick and simple. The person being tested swabs the inside of their mouth with a collection stick. This collects saliva that contains traces of any drugs used recently.

The saliva sample gets sealed and sent to a lab. At the lab, scientists screen the saliva for illegal or misused prescription drugs. Common tests can detect marijuana, cocaine, opiates, methamphetamine, and others.

If drugs are found in the saliva, the test is positive. This means the person likely used drugs recently. If no drugs are detected, the test is negative.

Saliva testing can identify drug use in the past few days. It cannot detect longer-term or infrequent use. Safeway chose this method because it is fast, accurate for recent use, and hard to cheat.

What Are the Drugs That Safeway Tests for Their Employees?

Here are the main drugs that Safeway tests for:

• Marijuana (THC)
• Cocaine
• Opiates
• Amphetamines/Methamphetamine
• Phencyclidine (PCP)

Safeway utilizes a 5-panel drug test to screen for these common illegal drugs. A 5-panel test is a urine, blood, saliva, or hair test that looks for 5 types of drugs. The 5 classes tested for are marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine. 

When a sample is collected, it is sent to a lab and scientifically analyzed to detect any presence of these drugs or their metabolites.

A 5-panel test provides a broad screening that covers the most common recreational drugs. Testing for multiple drug classes increases the chance of identifying drug use. Panel tests are popular with employers because they offer useful drug detection at a reasonable cost. 

The 5 classes on a standard 5-panel test encompass the major illegal drugs that employers want to deter the use of. More specific individual tests can also be added if required. Safeway utilizes the 5-panel test as an efficient way to carry out pre-employment screening for substance abuse. The test helps provide a drug-free workforce and a safe environment.

When Will Safeway Drug Test Specially?

Here are the main circumstances when Safeway will conduct a drug test:

• Pre-employment screening for new hires
• Random drug testing of current employees
• Testing after accidents or injuries at work
• Testing when reasonable suspicion of drug use
• Regular testing for employees in safety-sensitive jobs
• Testing after an employee returns from drug rehabilitation
• Testing after violations of company drug policy
• Periodic mass testing campaigns for all employees

Safeway primarily drug tests during the hiring process. However, current employees can also face testing if there are accidents, observable signs of impairment, or other triggers. 

Jobs involving driving, machinery, and customer service may get tested randomly per company policy. After drug rehab, employees need to be cleared to return to work. Overall, the goal is to deter drug use and ensure worker and public safety.

Conclusion

Safeway utilizes drug testing to promote a safe, healthy, and productive work environment. Thank you for reading this overview of Safeway’s drug testing policies. Please reach out if you need any clarification or have additional questions.