Family Dollar is a leading discount retailer with over 8,000 stores across 46 states. The company employs tens of thousands of associates in a variety of roles, from part-time retail clerks to salaried management positions. To maintain a safe and productive workplace, Family Dollar has implemented drug testing policies as a condition of employment.
If you‘re considering applying for a job at Family Dollar, you likely have questions about their drug screening process. Will you be required to take a test? What type of test is used? What substances are screened for? And what happens if you test positive? In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about Family Dollar‘s drug testing policies in 2024.
How Common Is Drug Testing in the Retail Industry?
First, it‘s important to understand that drug testing is a standard practice for many employers, especially in safety-sensitive industries like retail. According to a recent survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 57% of employers conduct drug tests on all job candidates.[^1] This number jumps to 69% for employers in the retail and wholesale trade industries.
Among major retailers, drug testing policies are even more ubiquitous. Walmart, the nation‘s largest private employer, drug screens all applicants and conducts random testing on current associates.[^2] Other top retailers like Target, Costco, and Kroger also require pre-employment drug tests for most positions.^3
So in short, if you‘re seeking a job in retail, there‘s a good chance you‘ll encounter a drug test along the way. Family Dollar is no exception to this trend. The company drug tests both new hires and current employees in many roles.
What Is Family Dollar‘s Drug Testing Policy?
According to Family Dollar‘s Code of Business Conduct, the company is "committed to providing a safe, drug-free, and healthful work environment for all associates."[^4] To uphold this commitment, Family Dollar maintains a strict substance abuse policy that prohibits the use, possession, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs on company property or during work hours.
All offers of employment at Family Dollar stores are contingent on passing a pre-employment drug test. Candidates who refuse the test or test positive for any controlled substance (without a valid prescription) will not be hired. This blanket pre-employment testing policy applies to all in-store positions, from entry-level associates to management.
The drug testing policy is slightly different for workers at Family Dollar‘s distribution centers. Pre-employment testing may not be required for all distribution positions. However, the company reserves the right to test any employee at any time, especially if there is reasonable suspicion of impairment or after a workplace accident.
Once hired, Family Dollar employees are subject to additional drug testing under certain circumstances. This can include random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, and post-accident testing. Random tests are more common in stores than distribution centers. But any employee can be tested if a manager suspects drug use based on physical symptoms, abnormal behavior, or other cues.
What Type of Drug Test Does Family Dollar Use?
When you are selected for a drug test at Family Dollar, you will most likely be asked to provide a urine sample. Urine tests are the most common method of employment drug screening, used by 90% of employers who conduct tests.^5
Family Dollar uses a standard 5-panel urine test, which screens for five categories of commonly abused drugs:
- Marijuana (THC)
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines (including methamphetamine)
- Opiates (such as heroin, morphine, and codeine)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
This 5-panel test is mandated by the federal government for certain safety-sensitive positions like transportation workers. Many private employers have adopted it as a benchmark for their drug-free workplace programs.
The drug test may be conducted on-site at your Family Dollar location or at an approved third-party testing facility, such as Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp. You will be given instructions on where and when to report for your test, usually within 48 hours of the request.
To ensure an accurate result, you‘ll need to follow some basic guidelines before providing your sample. Avoid excessive fluid intake, which can dilute your urine and cause an inconclusive result. But don‘t skip liquids entirely or give yourself too little time to produce a sample. If you can‘t provide an adequate specimen, you may need to repeat the test.
Be upfront about any substances or medications you‘ve used recently, including prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs. These could potentially cause a false positive result. However, a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) can verify legitimate medical explanations before reporting the result to your employer.
What Happens If You Fail a Family Dollar Drug Test?
Family Dollar has a zero tolerance policy for failed drug tests. If your test comes back positive for any of the five substances, you will face disciplinary action.
For job applicants, a positive pre-employment drug screen means the offer will be rescinded. You won‘t be hired for the position, even if you‘ve already started training or orientation. In fact, Quest Diagnostics reports that drug use is one of the top reasons job offers are revoked, accounting for 8% of all rescinded offers.[^6]
If you‘re an existing employee, failing a random, reasonable suspicion, or post-accident drug test will likely result in termination. Family Dollar may offer alternatives like substance abuse treatment in some cases. But there is no guarantee of continued employment after a failed test.
It‘s important to note that Family Dollar does not make exceptions for medical marijuana, even in states where it is legal. The company relies on federal law, under which marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance.^7 So using cannabis for any reason, medicinal or recreational, is grounds for a failed drug test and subsequent job loss.
How Can You Prepare for a Family Dollar Drug Test?
If you‘re applying to Family Dollar or think you might be subject to random testing, there are steps you can take to improve your chances of passing the drug test:
-
Abstain from drugs. The most obvious advice is also the most foolproof. Avoid using any illegal substances, especially in the days and weeks leading up to your test. Most drugs stay detectable in urine for at least a few days after use, with heavy users testing positive for a month or more.^8
-
Disclose your prescriptions. If you take any medications that could trigger a false positive, make sure to inform the testing personnel ahead of time. Bring documentation from your doctor to back up your claim. A medical review can help legitimize your result.
-
Watch what you eat. Certain foods and supplements can cause false positives on a drug test. These include poppy seeds (which may mimic opiates), hemp seeds (which contain trace amounts of THC), and some energy drinks (which have amphetamine-like ingredients). Avoid these products in the days before your test.[^9]
-
Stay hydrated (but not too hydrated). Drink a moderate amount of water before your test to ensure you can provide a sample. But excessive fluid intake could dilute your urine and make your result inconclusive. A good rule of thumb is to drink your normal amount of water in the hours leading up to the test.
-
Don‘t try to cheat. Some people attempt to beat drug tests by substituting synthetic urine, adding adulterants to their sample, or using detox products. But these methods are risky and usually ineffective. Drug tests can detect many common adulterants, and getting caught cheating could ruin your employment prospects altogether.
By following these guidelines and regulations, you can maximize your chances of passing a Family Dollar drug test and moving forward in the hiring process.
The Bottom Line
Family Dollar takes its commitment to a drug-free workplace seriously. Pre-employment drug screening is a standard part of the company‘s hiring process, and employees may be subject to additional testing at any time.
While some argue that drug testing is an invasion of privacy, courts have generally upheld employers‘ right to maintain substance-free workplaces. And proponents say drug screening programs reduce on-the-job accidents, absenteeism, and turnover while promoting a safer retail environment.[^10]
If you‘re sober, reliable, and willing to abide by Family Dollar‘s policies, you should have no trouble passing the company‘s 5-panel urine drug test. Focus on the tips provided above to ensure an untainted sample and a smooth testing experience.
With a combination of preparation, honesty, and good judgment, you can demonstrate your fitness for employment at Family Dollar and launch a successful retail career. Now that you know what to expect from the company‘s drug testing process, you‘re well-equipped to navigate this critical step on the path to getting hired.
[^1]: SHRM 2022 Annual Survey[^2]: Walmart Careers Website [^4]: Family Dollar Code of Business Conduct [^6]: Quest Diagnostics 2023 Annual Report [^9]: Quest Diagnostics Blog
[^10]: National Safety Council
