Target Drug Test

Yes, Target drug tests. Target does have a drug policy in place that states that they require all employees to take a pre-employment drug test. However, it does not appear that they enforce this policy consistently across locations or positions.

In accordance with Target's Drug-Free Workplace (DFW) Policy, certain roles may require a mandatory drug screen as a condition of employment.

If the role you've received an offer for requires a drug screen, you are notified at the time of offer and be prompted with the next steps during the screening process. From the point of notification, you have 24 hours to complete the drug test.

Drug screens are managed by Target's vendor, Accurate Background. They ask you to complete your screening either at a testing location near you or on-site at your future work location. Be prepared to provide your government-issued photo ID to confirm your identity when you arrive for a drug screen.

If you have questions about the results of your drug screen, contact Accurate Background directly at 855.581.0580

Target Drug Test Policy vs. Reality

The real issue is that their drug policy is outdated. Their old policy was that they require drug tests. They did this pre-employment for everyone, even freelancers. They have not updated that policy, nor have they removed it from some onboarding materials. But they don’t hold to it anymore.

Since Target’s drug policy was written, things have changed regarding marijuana, mainly the legalization of CBD in many states and marijuana or cannabis in others.

They have not updated their official policy to consider this, and it’s currently a grey area because CBD, although not hallucinogenic, can trigger a false positive marijuana test result. So they’re probably still waiting to see what legalization will occur and then make some determinations at that point.

Most of the information that can be found on Target’s drug testing policy is now only found anecdotally and from people who work there. So, there may be differences in certain states and from store to store.

If you’re still concerned, Target has an official response on their Frequently Asked Questions page. They officially state that if you’ve been offered a certain job that qualifies for a drug test, then you will be asked to complete that drug test within 24 hours.

What Target Jobs Require a Drug Test?

So, this is, again, just for specific roles in the company. From our research, those positions are within the asset protection or management departments, which means that a drug test is not required for retail and stocking positions.

Part of the reason that Target is keeping their drug test policy is not to randomly spring it on employees but to cover themselves if there is an issue with someone at work, perhaps someone driving vehicles, or getting stoned on the job.

They do stand behind their Drug-Free Workplace policy, so if you’re on drugs at work, you probably will be tested, and if it’s positive, you can be fired.

It’s all a bit confusing, and they aren’t any more clear on what they’re testing, but we know that marijuana is one of the drugs they’ve tested for in the past. The same drug test can test for many other illegal drugs, so you could be tested for several types of drugs in the same test. Unfortunately, this information is not publicly available.

To sum it all up, Target does and can drug test its employees, and they can and will do pre-employment drug screening. But this is not a policy they enforce for most of their potential new hires or their current employees. So the long and short is they can drug test, but they don’t.