As a picky shopper and retail industry expert, I know how important it is to thoroughly research a company before applying for a job or shopping there. If you‘re considering employment at PetSmart, one crucial policy to understand is their stance on drug testing.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into PetSmart‘s drug testing procedures, analyze how their policies stack up against other major retailers, and provide practical advice for job seekers who want to work at PetSmart but are concerned about drug screening.
PetSmart‘s Drug Testing Policy: The Nitty Gritty
Let‘s start with the basics. According to PetSmart‘s official Code of Ethics and Integrity, the company "prohibits the use, possession, sale, conveyance, distribution, or manufacture of illegal drugs, intoxicants, or controlled substances in any amount or in any manner." They also forbid the abuse of alcohol or prescription drugs.
To enforce this policy, PetSmart conducts drug screening in the following circumstances:
- Pre-employment testing for all new hires
- Reasonable suspicion testing if an employee appears to be under the influence at work
- Post-accident testing after a work-related injury
- Random drug testing of current employees
Refusing to submit to a drug test is grounds for termination of employment.
How PetSmart Drug Tests
When you‘re selected for a drug test at PetSmart, you‘ll typically be sent to a third-party testing facility like Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp. There, you‘ll provide a urine sample, which will be screened for illegal and controlled substances.
PetSmart usually uses a standard 5-panel urine test that detects:
- Amphetamines (meth, speed, ecstasy)
- Cocaine
- Marijuana (THC)
- Opiates (heroin, morphine, codeine)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Sometimes, PetSmart may use a more extensive 10-panel test that also screens for:
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Methadone
- Methaqualone
- Propoxyphene
Urine tests are the most common method of pre-employment drug screening because they‘re relatively inexpensive and can detect recent drug use (within the past few days for most substances). However, they may occasionally use other methods like hair follicle testing, which can detect drug use up to 90 days prior.
Consequences of a Positive Drug Test
If you fail a pre-employment drug test at PetSmart, you won‘t be hired. Even if marijuana is legal in your state, PetSmart adheres to federal law. So testing positive for THC will disqualify you.
Current employees who fail a random or reasonable suspicion drug test will likely face disciplinary action, including termination. However, there may be exceptions for those who test positive due to legally prescribed medications or medical marijuana (more on that later).
Why Do Companies Drug Test?
PetSmart is far from alone in drug testing employees. In fact, pre-employment drug screening has become standard practice for many U.S. companies. A 2011 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 57% of employers conducted drug tests on all job candidates.
So why do so many companies drug test? Here are a few key reasons:
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Safety concerns. Employees under the influence of drugs or alcohol are more likely to cause workplace accidents or injuries. A 2006 study found that postal workers who tested positive for drugs had 55% more industrial accidents and 85% more injuries compared to drug-free workers.
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Productivity issues. Substance abuse can lead to increased absenteeism, tardiness, and decreased productivity. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence estimates that drug abuse costs employers $81 billion annually in lost productivity.
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Legal liability. If an impaired employee causes an accident that harms others, the employer could face costly lawsuits. Maintaining a drug-free workplace can help mitigate legal risks.
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Reputation management. Companies want to be viewed as safe, professional, and trustworthy. Employee drug use could damage an employer‘s public image and hurt their brand.
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Compliance requirements. Some industries, like transportation and defense, are legally required to drug test employees due to federal regulations. Companies that contract with the federal government may also need to adhere to certain drug-free workplace standards.
The Case Against Drug Testing
While PetSmart and many other companies view drug testing as a smart business move, critics argue that it‘s an unnecessary and invasive practice. The ACLU contends that "drug testing is not only an unreliable invasion of privacy, but it is often a coercive tool that can be abused by employers."
Other possible drawbacks of workplace drug testing include:
- Inaccurate results due to false positives or human error
- Inability to measure current impairment (drug tests show past use, not on-the-job intoxication)
- Discrimination against employees who use legal substances like medical marijuana or certain prescription drugs
- Erosion of trust and morale among employees who feel violated or judged
- Difficulty hiring in a competitive labor market, especially for lower wage positions
Additionally, research on the effectiveness of pre-employment drug testing is mixed. A 2017 study in the Journal of Addictive Diseases found "no differences in employment outcomes between those with and without positive pre-employment marijuana tests." But a 2015 study did link positive pre-employment drug tests to higher rates of adverse employment outcomes.
If you use marijuana or other drugs and are worried about passing PetSmart‘s pre-employment drug test, you have a few options:
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Abstain from drug use for long enough to pass the test. For occasional marijuana use, this may mean stopping for at least 1-2 weeks beforehand. Heavier, chronic use can be detected for a month or more.
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Find out if you qualify for an exemption. If you‘re using legally prescribed medication or are a registered medical marijuana patient, you may be able to provide documentation and still pass the screening.
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Consider other employers. If you‘re not willing or able to give up marijuana or other drugs, you may want to focus your job search on companies that don‘t drug test. However, be aware that many retailers have similar policies to PetSmart.
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Evaluate your priorities. It may be worth examining the role that drugs play in your life and whether they‘re worth potentially limiting your job prospects. There‘s no shame in seeking help if you‘re struggling with substance abuse issues.
The Future of Workplace Drug Testing
As attitudes and laws around marijuana and other drugs continue to evolve, will pre-employment drug testing remain prevalent? It‘s hard to say.
Some companies are moving away from marijuana testing as more states legalize it for medical or recreational use. For example, in 2021, Amazon announced that it would no longer test job applicants for marijuana and would treat it the same as alcohol use.
Other employers are exploring alternatives to traditional pre-employment drug screening, like impairment tests that measure employees‘ current cognitive and physical abilities rather than their past drug use.
It‘s also worth noting that drug testing laws vary by state. Some states, like Illinois and Nevada, have passed laws prohibiting employers from rejecting applicants solely based on a positive marijuana test. Other states restrict employers‘ ability to conduct random or blanket drug testing. But in many states, private employers still have wide discretion over their drug testing policies.
At the federal level, marijuana remains illegal, which means companies are likely to continue testing for it in the near term. A 2021 survey by the Current Consulting Group found that 70% of employers still screen for THC, though that number is down from previous years.
Practical Tips for Passing a PetSmart Drug Test
If you‘re committed to applying for a job at PetSmart but worried about passing the drug test, here are a few practical tips that may help:
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Find out exactly what type of test you‘ll be taking (urine, hair, saliva) and familiarize yourself with the detection windows for different substances.
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Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your test. While this won‘t actually detox your system, being well hydrated can slightly dilute the concentration of drugs in your urine. Just don‘t overdo it to the point where your sample is rejected.
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Consider using an at-home drug test to gauge whether you‘re likely to pass. You can purchase these online or at many pharmacies. But keep in mind they‘re not 100% accurate.
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Avoid any products that claim to "beat" or "cheat" the drug test, as these are unlikely to work and may actually make your sample more suspicious. Trying to substitute synthetic urine or someone else‘s clean sample is also extremely risky.
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If all else fails and you really want the job, your best bet is to postpone your application until you can abstain from drugs for long enough to naturally pass the screening.
Conclusion
PetSmart‘s drug testing policy may feel daunting if you‘re a cannabis user or casual drug experimentor. But by understanding their procedures and your options, you can make an informed decision about whether pursuing a job there is feasible and compatible with your lifestyle.
Ultimately, only you can weigh the costs and benefits of changing your habits to work for a particular employer. But if you‘re passionate about pets and confident you can adhere to PetSmart‘s drug-free workplace policies, it could be a rewarding career path.
As drug laws and societal norms continue to shift, it will be interesting to see if and how PetSmart and other major retailers adapt their screening practices. For now, job seekers who use drugs recreationally will need to carefully navigate the pre-employment testing process. Those who use marijuana or other substances for legitimate medical purposes may want to explore their legal protections and possible accommodations.
Whatever your situation, the most important thing is to be honest with yourself, make responsible choices, and stay informed about your rights and options as a job seeker. With the right approach and mindset, a positive drug test need not derail your career goals completely.
