I Called Over 20 Walmart Stores Across Canada and the US and Here is What I Found!

Well the answer is…. IT DEPENDS!!!

Here is what we found broken down by country and state!

Regarding our calls to US Walmart stores, there was a greater mix of responses, but…

• The VAST MAJORITY were not aware of any ongoing drug test requirements for either new hires or active employees; however
• One store did confirm that they do drug testing, but depending on which department you wanted to work in.
• In general, it sounded like most departments don’t require testing, but some stores noted that drivers (e.g. fork lift operators, delivery drivers, etc.), heavy machinery operators, pharmacy, and/or vision center services employees may require testing (but did not specify if the tests occur at time of hire or if it would be random drug testing at a later date).

Specific states/cities we called:

We called Walmarts across a bunch of states, including Colorado, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Florida, Oklahoma, Illinois, Michigan, and California. When dialing in, we call various departments, but tried to speak with human resources where possible so as to get the most reliable and detailed information.

RECENT UPDATES:

On March 22, 2024 we called a bunch more of stores in the following states to make sure that the above info was still valid and up to date:

• Does Walmart drug test in Oklahoma: We called a few stores, which included Oklahoma City. The answer was actually YES, from one location. They said they test all departments at the start, and periodically throughout employment. Another Walmart in Oklahoma said they they all only drug test people applying for positions that operate heavy machinery.
• Does Walmart drug test in Illinois: We called a few stores, which included Springfield and St. Louis. The answers were mixed. One store said they test all departments (but this was coming from a pharmacy employee). I called another store and the woman emphatically said no, they don’t drug test. Again, mixed responses. It sounds like it could vary depending on the store, and perhaps the prevalence of drug use in that area?
• Does Walmart drug test in Michigan: We called a few stores and tried getting through to the various departments. Again, the answers were a bit mixed, but more often than not the answer was they don’t drug test, unless you are going to be operating heavy equipment or working with ‘asset protection’ (I hadn’t heard the latter one mentioned before, but it makes sense: if you are going to be working in any department where the consequences of making an error could be severe, then you could expect to be drug tested).

All representatives from Walmart stores in Canada informed me that:

• They were not aware of any ongoing drug test requirements for NEW hired nor active employees; or
• They were not 100% sure, but confirmed that they were not drug tested themselves at any point when they got hired on.
• The Walmart stores we called ranged from west coast (those in British Columbia and Alberta) to east coast (Ontario).

Some additional information for you consideration based on my additional digging:

1. Random Drug Testing: Ok, so this one is obvious. It does happen, but generally only under suspicion. That said, the chances of this increase in safety-sensitive positions (like drivers and equipment operators, as eluded to above). Frequency and scope can vary.
2. Post-Accident Testing: The title is pretty self explanatory, but expect the chances of a drug test to increase after any workplace accidents or incidents.
3. Return-to-Work Testing: If an employee is involved in a workplace accident or violates the company’s drug and alcohol policy, they might need to undergo drug testing before being allowed to return to work.
4. Cannabis Policy: Some sources indicated that Walmart, like many companies, had been adjusting its policies around cannabis use due to changing laws and attitudes. In locations where cannabis is legal, Walmart might have modified its testing policies regarding marijuana. Here is the latest on state-level legality of weed / marijuana, to possibly give you a better sense of this. But regardless of whether marijuana is legal in your province or state, you should never be high / intoxicated on the job.
5. Third-Party Testing: Walmart typically contracts with third-party vendors to conduct drug tests. These vendors follow established guidelines and procedures to ensure accuracy and fairness.

Alright, so these of course are generalities, so it’s important to note that drug testing policies can vary by country, region, specific job roles within the company, and even whether you live in a “blue” or “red” state.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, I recommend checking Walmart’s official website and any recently published employee handbooks or policy documents.

If you are unsure on what your results may be, we suggest getting an easy to use at-home drug test kit here:

Click Here to Order on Amazon

How to apply to Walmart?

The majority of job postings can be found online on their website. Applications typically start with applying online. Here are the links below:

 Working at Walmart Canada | Jobs and Careers at Walmart Canada

 Walmart Careers | Submit a Walmart Job Application Online

Well we hope you found this article useful! We will continue to call more stores across the countries, including in person interviews to continue giving you the most up to date information.