Does Amazon Drug Test? (Corporate, Warehouse, Fulfillment) [2022]

Does Amazon drug test employees and job applicants? Amazon has been known to drug test employees in both warehouse and distribution. When applying for a job at Amazon. Or when working at Amazon fulfillment, it's best to learn about their corporate policy related to drug use and drug screening.

does amazon drug test

About Amazon

Amazon.com, Inc. is a worldwide technology firm headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Its primary businesses include e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It has been dubbed "one of the world's most powerful economic and cultural forces" and the world's most valuable brand. Along with Google (Alphabet Inc.), Apple, Meta (Facebook), and Microsoft, it is one of the Big Five American information technology corporations.

On July 5, 1994, Jeff Bezos established Amazon from his garage in Bellevue, Washington. Initially a book marketplace, it has evolved into a wide variety of other categories, earning it the title The Everything Store. Amazon Web Services (cloud computing), Zoox (autonomous cars), Kuiper Systems (satellite Internet), and Amazon Lab126 are among its subsidiaries (computer hardware R&D). Additionally, it owns Ring, Twitch, IMDb, and Whole Foods Market. Its acquisition of Whole Foods Market in August 2017 for US$13.4 billion significantly enlarged its physical merchant base.

Does Amazon drug test corporate job applicants?

Typically, no. Unless the applicants background check includes criminal records related to drug use. Job candidates in the corporate setting are not subject to pre-employment drug testing.

Employers in safety-sensitive businesses such as transportation, aviation, and the Department of Defense are required by federal law to conduct testing. As such, Amazon requires all warehouse employees to undergo a pre-employment drug test as part of the recruiting process. Amazon may run a regular five-panel drug test on all workers. It varies according to the necessity and scenario.

Does Amazon drug test warehouse job applicants?

Yes. Warehouse and fulfillment employees will be tested as part of the standard pre-employment drug testing policy. Since warehouse and fulfillment employees often handle and use heavy machinery, state laws and federal laws provision Amazon to perform pre-employment drug testing on all applicants.

Amazon is the second largest private employer in the United States. And has a stance on the federal level stance on legal marijuana. Medical marijuana users are treated similar to alcohol users according to company policy.

Does Amazon perform random drug testing?

Amazon does random drug tests. This means that the company can drug test employees at any point in time. The company has a procedure for this. There will be a random selection of a number of employees across every building in the company. The selected employees will be tested for drugs to see how clean their system is. Since this is random, it means that you do not have the time to prepare beforehand or attempt to beat the test.

However, this form of selection also means that you may never be tested during your work stay at Amazon. Since it’s random, it may not reach you. The company has hundreds of thousands of employees, so the chances that anyone will be selected is low. While you can be selected, it’s not high risk. Amazon workers claim they are almost always on weed and never have to worry about anything.

Your chances of being tested increase if you work using heavy equipment like a forklift, power equipment, or pallet truck and get involved in an accident. This is a red flag that will place you under the need for a drug test. Hence, Amazon’s fulfillment of random drug tests is non-negotiable. It will always take place.

What types of drug testing does Amazon perform?

Amazon typically performs drug screenings on new hires and as a condition of ongoing employment. Their drug testing program complies with all applicable federal and state regulations. Amazon conducts a five-panel or twelve-panel drug test on job seekers and workers to identify the presence or absence of illegal substances and prescription medication usage.

This includes the following types of drug screenings:

Urine test.
Mouth swab test.

What types of drugs does Amazon test for?

At Amazon, the most common test for drug screening is an oral mouth swab. Oral drug testing is a non-invasive and rapid alternative to blood and urine testing. Additionally, oral tests offer immediate findings and are scientifically trustworthy.

Alcohol and a variety of other illicit substances may be tested, including amphetamines, opiates, cocaine, and phencyclidine (PCP).

Does Amazon drug test current employees?

Typically, no. Unless there is an incident, in which the manager or warehouse manager suspects issues with drugs or alcohol use. In this case, it is considered a post-incident drug test.

In all other circumstances, this is the schedule that Amazon follows with regard to drug testing:

A preliminary interview will be done by the warehouse manager of the warehouse where you wish to work. This interview will establish whether or not you advance to the next level.
Amazon will do a credit check on you. This section will cover questions on your job experience, personal life, and your suitability for the role.
The third phase requires you to pass a drug test before being considered for the job. In essence, these three procedures must be completed before you can be considered a qualified candidate for the post for which you are seeking.

Does Amazon test in states where medical marijuana and recreational marijuana is legal?

Generally, no. According to a letter to US Operations workers from Dave Clark, CEO Worldwide Consumer at Amazon, Amazon will no longer include marijuana in its comprehensive drug testing policy for occupations not regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Common FAQs

Questions from job seekers and Amazon employees.

Does Amazon test for marijuana use?

Not anymore. Amazon has offices in a small number of states and fulfillment centers in virtually all 50. Marijuana is legal in 16 states and Washington, D.C., and 36 states have legalized medicinal marijuana. The company's complete drug test procedure for employees not regulated by the Department of Transportation will no longer include marijuana.

Will Amazon fire you if you fail a drug test?

The organization rigorously adheres to federal laws that permit employers to deny employment or cancel an application based on drug use. Therefore, if your tests are positive, you will have a little possibility of being hired to work at Amazon.

Can I reapply to Amazon after a failed drug test?

If you tested positive, this is not the end of your chances to work at Amazon. You can reapply to any position in 3-months time. The applicant will be required to follow-up with Human Resources and explain the failed drug test, changes they have made to their life, and they will be asked to submit another urine or mouth swab test.

Does Amazon drug test at orientation?

No. Amazon does not drug test at orientation. Typically, if you're part of the orientation group, you have been accepted to work at Amazon full-time. Amazon conducts pre-employment testing. And avoids testing for cannabis use. If you're attending orientation, you already have employment with Amazon.

Do employees get test on their first day at Amazon?

No. There is no drug test on the first day of employment with Amazon. Typically, Amazon performs pre-employment drug testing. This is in accordance with its comprehensive drug screening program and corporate policy. A pre-employment drug test will either be a urine test or mouth swab test.

How long will it take to know if my drug test came back positive for Amazon employment?

Your test results may arrive in as little as 72 hours or as long as two weeks. It is mostly dependent on the laboratory utilized by the office from which you obtain your tests. Certain clinics are more efficient than others and will quickly provide your results to the corporation. As a consequence, you will often receive your findings shortly following your test. Where this does not occur, it may take some time.

Will Amazon hire medical marijuana users?

Yes. Amazon will hire MMJ users and medical marijuana users. They have stated they will treat the use of this substance similar to alcohol. Pre-employment testing can occur. Though, if marijuana use shows on the test, it will not prevent the applicant from moving forward in the hiring process.

Amazon's public policy team will also support the MORE Act, also known as the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2021.