Does Costco Drug Test for Employment? “Does Costco drug test for employment?” This is quite a popular question among recreational drug users considering a job in the retail market as Costco, along with Walmart, is one of the largest retailers in the world. A successful business translates into more job opportunities. So it makes a lot of sense that so many people are seeking employment at Costco.
For people who use recreational drugs such as marijuana, securing a job in the retail market is a bit more challenging than for those who are ‘clean’. The probability of them failing a drug test during the interview process and ultimately not getting a job offer is quite high despite the fact that marijuana is starting to win the legal battle in many states. So people who use drugs recreationally need to research in advance whether a company such as Costco drug tests or not.
Costco Company Facts
Costco is a well-known retailer; not just to those living in the United States, but to those throughout the world. In 2015 Costco was the 2nd largest retailer, with Walmart coming first. In 2016 Costco was the world’s largest retailer when it comes to organic foods, wine, prime beef, and rotisserie chicken. The company has over 700 locations throughout the world. It even has plans to open a warehouse in China this year in order to expand its global footprint further.
About quarter of a million people are currently employed by Costco. There’s no lack of diversity when it comes to jobs you can apply for at Costco. You can work at one of their stores as a cashier, stocker, food service assistant, bakery wrapper, forklift driver, pharmacy technician, or even as a truck driver.
Those who have degrees in accounting and the like can find opportunities for work in Costco’s home and regional offices. The kinds of jobs available at Costco offices include HR, accounting, administration, consumer services, payroll, safety, and marketing – just to name a few.
There’s no doubt that you’ll find a suitable job at Costco regardless of your skill set or level of education.
Costco Drug Test Policy in 2024
Costco maintains a very strict no drug policy. You can expect to be drug tested while applying for a job, as well as during your time of employment there. Costco tests for all the usual illicit substances such as marijuana, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opioids, cocaine, and others. It’s not the best of ideas to seek employment or work at Costco while consuming any of these drugs.
What to Expect During Costco Hiring Process?
The first step in seeking a job at Costco is to check out their website for any openings. If you find a job you want to apply for, submit an online application and wait for them to call you. If you don’t receive a reply within a week or so, give them a call to ask the status of your application and request an interview. It’s all a pretty straightforward process.
Just don’t worry if the hiring process takes a little longer than normal. For some applicants it took up to a month – from start to finish – to get hired.
Does Costco Do Pre-Employment Drug Testing?
Yes! Unfortunately for recreational drug users, Costco performs pre-employment drug testing and only hires applicants who pass their tests. The company has a very serious and strict ‘no drug’ policy.
Costco will not hire anyone testing positive for any of the drugs mentioned above, even if the application was stellar and the interview went otherwise without a hitch.
In order to ensure getting a job at Costco, try to abstain from drugs at least 3 days before your scheduled interview. This should guarantee your passing the mandatory drug test. Doing drugs just a day or two before your interview will significantly increase your chances of failing the drug test and failing to get the job.
Costco is a great place to work and offers a decent future. There’s no reason to blow it all away by doing drugs.
Does Costco Do Random and Pre-Promotional Drug Testing?
Yes! Costco retains the right as part of their strict no drug policy to drug test its employees at any time during their period of employment. However, random tests out of the blue are somewhat uncommon.
If you’re involved in a work related accident, or your manager or supervisor suspect that you’re high, then you will almost certainly be asked to pass a drug test. Failing to pass it will most probably cost you your job and get you fired.
You should also expect pre-promotional drug tests at Costco. If things are going well and you’re up for a promotion, don’t ruin your chances by doing drugs. Actually, failing a pre-promotional drug test won’t just stop you from getting the promotion; it’ll probably get you fired as well.
What Kind of Drug Test Does Costco Give Employees?
Unlike most other companies, Costco uses a mouth swab to test saliva for drugs. Most other companies use urine drug testing.
A swab will be used to collect a sample of your saliva then sent to a Costco contracted lab for testing. Only once Costco has lab results, it will make the decision on whether to hire you or not.
Can You Fail Your Drug Test if You Use Prescription Drugs?
No, you can’t fail a drug test at Costco if you’re only using prescription drugs. If you’re on a prescription for something that can show up positive on a drug screen, let Costco know in advance. You can also give them your doctor’s name and contact info in case they want to confirm with him or her that you’re on the prescription.
Costco is not allowed to ask what it is you’re taking or why you’re taking it. So doesn’t disclose that information voluntarily.
How to Pass Saliva Drug Test at Costco?
As mentioned above, Costco uses saliva drug testing to check their potential and current employers. This is actually good news for recreational drug users because a saliva (swab) drug test is much easier to pass if you know some essential facts.
If you know about your upcoming saliva drug test, you just need to abstain from marijuana for at least 48 hours beforehand, thoroughly brush your teeth and gums properly and use a strong mouthwash like Listerine. This significantly increases your odds of passing your swab test.
However, if you have used marijuana less than 48 hours before your interview, you should consider having a mouth detox product specifically design to pass the saliva drug test handy in your pocket.
Summary
Costco is a great place to work, but getting a job there isn’t easy. You’ll need to pass a saliva drug test before getting hired. In addition, you’ll need to continue not using drugs for as long as you work there.
Thank you for reading our article “Does Costco drug test for Employment?”
We would love to hear about your experiences going through Costco hiring process and drug testing procedure.
We believe others who are applying for jobs at Costco will definitely appreciate and benefit from it.
Helpful link:
How to Pass a Saliva Drug Test – 2 Facts You Need to Know!!
Learn more here:
PubMed, Detection time for THC in oral fluid after frequent cannabis smoking.
ASTM.org, Blind Trials of an Onsite Saliva Drug Test for Marijuana and Opiates
