Does Hobby Lobby Drug Test All Its Employees?
If you do not have a problem following rules, then Hobby Lobby might be the place for you. The retail store has a strict dress code that states no denim, but you can don business casual attire such as a buttoned-up shirt paired with khaki pants. Since it announced an increase in the hourly rate for full-time employees, you could be considering joining the workforce. However, one thing might stop you if you are a habitual drug user. Companies want sober employees, so the question “does Hobby Lobby drug test its employees?” may be lingering in your head. Before you rush to apply, here is everything you need to know about Hobby Lobby’s drug testing policy.
Depends on Several Factors
According to responses on Indeed, after someone asked if all Hobby Lobby stores drug tests their employees, the retail chain giant does. A few people revealed that it depends on the position you hold. So, all managerial staff must undertake the test. Another person added that you will probably never get tested unless you give the employer a reason to, such as you are acting suspiciously. Most of the information regarding whether Hobby Lobby drug tests all its employees is conflicting. Some sources claim that since the retail outlet upholds strong Christian values, you should expect to be tested even if you are working in a store located in a state that has legalized marijuana. Therefore, as The Law Advisory informs us, Hobby Lobby conducts pre-employment tests to ensure that all the employees comply with the strong Christian beliefs. A job seeker who tests positive for drug use can be assured of not being employed at the store.
On the other hand, a full-time employee who tests positive will have to wait on the decision of an inquiry committee. The committee weighs the pros and cons of keeping the employee; of course, if the cons outweigh the pros, then the employee is fired. All the same, most full-time employees do not get tested unless they are suspected of drug use may be from aggressive behavior, or lateness to work. However, it is imperative to remind you that the moment you are promoted to a managerial position, you must undertake the test. Detox Marijuana Fast published conflicting information regarding pre-employment drug testing at Hobby Lobby. The article states that Hobby Lobby does not conduct pre-employment drug testing because it would be against the company policy. Regardless of the location of the store you are applying to work at, you should not be worried about being subjected to a drug test. That is not to say that the hiring manager will not assess your behavior and appearance; should s/he suspect that you are under the influence during the interview, chances of you not getting the job are high. After all, Hobby Lobby has a reputation of placing its customers on a pedestal hence does not tolerate complaints concerning employee behavior.
What Kind of Drug Tests Does Hobby Lobby Run?
According to most online sources, Hobby Lobby prefers using mouth swabs to conduct drug tests on its employees. It is non-invasive, and as Medical News Today enlightens us, requires very little preparation. All you have to do is not eat or drink anything for 10 minutes before the test. An absorbent pad or sponge on the end of a stick is then used to swab the inside of the cheeks, and the saliva sample is taken; the process takes three minutes at most. The store could analyze the sample on-site or take it to a lab. If it is an on-site analysis, the results are obtained almost immediately, but if taken to a lab, you will have to wait for 24 hours. A mouth swab will detect drugs ingested 48 hours before the test, and the method is usually 97% accurate. However, it is not as effective as urine tests that can detect drugs that have been in the system for longer than 48 hours. All the same, 97% accuracy is not guaranteed. It is dependent on a few factors, such as the drug being tested, the skill of the person carrying out the test, the testing facility, and where analysis occurs. Still, a mouth swab will detect alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, opioids, barbiturates, PCP (angel dust), and tetrahydrocannabinol. Hobby Lobby does not rely on mouth swabs alone to trust employees for drugs. It also conducts urine tests which some stores prefer. According to a Reddit thread, they hand you a cup, and you collect the sample. If the test is positive, it means that one or more of the drugs tested were beyond a certain concentration. If negative, the drugs were not detected at the cut-off concentration, or the sample did not contain any trace of the drugs.
What If The Results Yield a False Positive?
Sometimes, an employer will conduct random drug tests on employees, and you might be selected to be among those tested. Even if you are sure that you have not taken any illegal or prohibited drugs, the results may come back positive. Usually, the main reason for drug tests yielding false positives is if you are on medication such as antihistamines, supplements, or antibiotics. According to GoodRx, some drugs that cause false positives are diltiazem (used to treat high blood pressure), and dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant). Also, others like metformin for diabetes, and doxylamine (a sleeping aid), among many more. A false positive could also be if you are living with a drug user and have been exposed to secondhand smoke. In such a case, you should talk to your employer and explain. You will be expected to provide the drugs and supplements you claim caused the false positive and give dosage details so that the lab personnel can determine if the medication triggered the false positive. If your employer is not convinced, you can talk to your lawyer to ensure that your employer does not violate your rights.
