Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Kroger Co. is one of the largest supermarket companies in the world per annual sales ($122.3 billion for the fiscal year 2019). The Kroger group operates 2,757 supermarkets, of which 2,270 have pharmacies and 1,567 have fuel centers in 35 states and DC.
Kroger operates supermarkets under various formats and banner names:
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Supermarkets are the primary format and a combination of food and drug store: Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Copps, Dillons, Fry’s, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, Jay C, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Owen’s, Pay Less, Pick ’n Save, QFC, Ralphs, and Smith’s.
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Multidepartment stores sell general merchandise: Fred Meyer.
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Marketplace stores offer grocery, pharmacy, and general merchandise but are smaller than multidepartment stores: Kroger Marketplace, Dillons Marketplace, King Soopers Marketplace, Fry’s Marketplace, and Smith’s Marketplace.
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Price-impact warehouse stores offer grocery and health and beauty items at a low cost: Foods Co and Food 4 Less.
As of this writing, the company employs 435,000 full-time and part-time associates. Kroger has been named one of the best grocery store chains in the US, and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic has also been recognized.
Do you want to work at Kroger or its subsidiaries? The company accepts applications online. However, you may need to be forewarned about its drug-testing policies, which are discussed here.
Does Kroger Drug-Test Employees?
The company’s Policy on Business Ethics sets out Kroger’s commitment to its customers, associates, and shareholders. It aims to achieve this commitment through honesty, integrity, respect, diversity, safety, and inclusion.
The policy’s section on safety says, “We protect our customers and each other from injury with a safe and secure workplace and shopping environment.” Kroger also maintains that the health and safety of associates are paramount, as evident in the working conditions.
Preemployment Drug Testing
Kroger (or any of its subsidiaries) requires drug testing based on job vacancies posted on its website. For example, applicants for a pharmacy-technician position at Fred Meyer need to pass a drug test, among other minimum qualifications for the said role. Other positions, such as reclamation processor, meat cutter, and bakery clerk at Fred Meyer stores, also explicitly state the same.
Notably, if you scan other postings, such as for patient care technicians at the Little Clinic, part of Kroger’s Health division, there’s no mention of “ability to pass a drug test” in the minimum qualifications.
Drug Testing during Employment
Kroger can run drug tests on employees, including those recently hired. It can be a random drug test or concerning a workplace accident/injury. The common consensus is the company uses a mouth swab drug test.
The Answer
The company is upfront about its preemployment drug-test requirements as far as certain jobs, divisions, or locations are concerned. It’s thus imperative to prepare and pass the drug test. You can also expect to apply the same care and caution when you get the job at the company as it has the prerogative to test employees.
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References:
Latest Kroger 10-K
Kroger Business
Kroger Policy on Business Ethics