Does Autozone Drug Test? (All You Need To Know)
Autozone is a leading auto parts retailer with a good reputation in their business. And they’ve maintained this reputation with their excellent customer service through employees and favorable company policies.
Hence, as a safety precaution for their business, many companies do drug tests for their staff.
To ensure none of them are drug abusers or illegal substance users. But does Autozone follow this similar tactic as a policy during recruitment?
Depending on their roles, Autozone follows a drug test procedure for existing employees and some new staff. Such tests are in their interest and, most importantly, the customers’. It helps to avoid situations where staff attend to a customer while intoxicated. Additionally, they only perform such tests if they believe your behavioral traits are suspicious.
Does Autozone Drug Test New Employees?
Autozone only prioritizes a drug test for new employees in some locations, especially if your role is safety-sensitive, like a delivery driver. This test is beneficial as it prevents many unwarranted situations.
Many cases have been of a company losing customers because a worker attended to them while intoxicated. So they didn’t treat them appropriately.
However, they also conduct these tests on current employees to avoid problems entirely.
Doing this before and after employment is beneficial, and the reasons are explained below.
#1. Promotion of a Healthy Work Environment
Using drugs at work negatively affects an individual and could cause poor decision-making skills, reduce reactions during emergencies and even heighten accident rates.
This implies that a worker under drug influence won’t make the right decision, leading to customer or business loss.
Also, during emergencies like rush sale hours or fire breakout, they won’t realize early enough that there is a problem since they aren’t in the right mind frame.
#2. Higher Safety Means Increased Productivity
Such individuals may become less productive or pick offense at the slightest matter.
And they can also become tardy and less efficient in their roles. But when such activities are absent in the workplace, employees are productive and more efficient.
#3. It Saves the Company’s Money
A drug user is liable for accidents because of the resulting intoxication.
When this happens, the company is charged with paying compensation fees, legal fees, and replacing any damaged property.
But this drug test saves the company the stress of dealing with such individuals, and they can be laid off.
If you’re looking to get employed at Autozone, you must acquaint yourself with comprehensive details about drug testing as an employee.
Remember that this test is essential before employment in some Autozone locations, and depending on the safety level of your job, knowing about it helps you be prepared.
What Kind of Drug Test Does Autozone Do?
Autozone follows a mouth swab and urine test procedure. And they conduct these drug tests either under suspicion, randomly, or after an accident.
Refusing to take the random drug test implies you’re a drug user and it would become mandated.
But not to worry, Autozone doesn’t infringe on the employee’s right during this process, as they abide by the state and federal regulations.
#1. Mouth Swab Test
A mouth swab test also called an oral fluid test, involves checking for alcohol or substance use through one’s saliva.
This method is more convenient and economical and only requires the individual to abstain from liquid and food for 10 minutes before the test.
The tests’ results take three minutes if conducted on-site and last for a day if taken for laboratory analysis.
However, since this substance doesn’t last in the saliva for long after use, this swab test isn’t recommended for all drug tests.
#2. Urine Test
A urine test is a better drug testing method as the substances used remain in the body’s system long after usage.
Such tests can identify an employee who used drugs within working hours, which is an offense.
It involves testing an individual’s urine for substances, but this test can be unreliable if there are traces of such drugs in prescribed medication.
Hence, you must take the necessary precautions before urine tests to avoid complications.
Ensure to inform the doctor if you’re on any treatment, using herbal solutions, or taking supplements.
The urine test is best for workers in safety-prioritized roles as drivers as that help to signify drugs and alcohol used while working regardless of the time difference.
These drug tests are necessary for license owners and are supported by federal law, so drug testing of drivers is mandatory.
The table below shows how long these drugs can be in a person’s system and be detected after use.
| Drugs | How Soon the Drug Detection Will Be | Period of Drug Detection Long After Taking the Drug |
|---|---|---|
| Marijuana | 1-3 hours | Six weeks |
| Cocaine | First two to six hours | Around two to three days |
| Opiates | Two to six hours | One to three days |
| Oxycodone | Between one to three hours | First to the second day |
| Benzodiazepine | Two to seven hours | Between the first to the fourth day |
| Methadone | Three to eight hours | One to three days |
| Ecstasy | Two to seven hours | Two to four days |
Note: The drug detection listed in the table isn’t definitive, as drug intake influences it. Chronic drug users, moderate, and single-use vary.
What Happens If You Fail Autozone’s Drug Test?
If one fails Autozone’s pre-employment drug tests, they’ll lose the job, and if it is a random test from current staff, they’ll be fired.
Although there isn’t a policy that you can’t reapply for a job after a failed drug test, it is unlikely to happen.
However, you can try again after six months but note that some Autozone stores won’t hire you, specifically if your job involves transportation.
Anyone who failed a drug test before is considered a risk to clients, ruining your chances for a second trial.
Hence, you must avoid drugs and any substances capable of implicating you during a drug test if you wish to apply for a job at Autozone or already have a job there.
Summary
Autozone takes their employee’s well-being and customer satisfaction seriously, so they ensure to carry out inspections like drug tests.
Anyone found using these substances is a threat to themselves, especially if they’re involved in driving.
They can cause accidents, suffer injuries, and destroy the company’s properties. It is best to abstain from these substances before and even after employment.
