Job applicants at Verizon have to keep in mind the pre-employment qualification criteria before they show up for the interview. Since Verizon is a global company, you can expect the process to be tedious and keen. In this regards, many interested potential employees have been wondering does Verizon drug test or not?
Do Verizon Employees Go Through Drug Test 2022?
Large-scale companies, like Verizon, does not take it lightly if an employee shows up at work under drug influence. However, it did change its policy in 2018 after which Verizon does not drug test employees.
Initially, the company used to test for marijuana but then a large number of states began to legalize this drug. Eventually, it became pointless to test employees as the use had become more common within permitted limites.
Verizon relaxed its drug policy as a result and stopped testing new and current employees. Nonetheless, there are details to know about this policy. Let’s take a look at this in greater depth.
1. Pre-Employment
According to the policy change, Verizon does not test applicants prior to employment as well. Since medical marijuana use has been legalized in most states, Verizon has relaxed its drug test policies. However, it is important to keep in mind the following pointers in regards to this.
- Verizon reserves the right to change back the policy at any point.
- It still does not encourage employees to show up at work under influence and can fire a worker if this happens.
2. Temporary Employees
According to a report published in 2015, more than 45% of temp agencies used to test applicants for drugs when they came in for employment.
In fact, this was considered part of the sign up process by majority of these companies. It was compulsory to take part in the test and submit the report before the agency could connect you to the company for hiring.
Nonetheless, Verizon does not test temporary employees, permanent, contractual, or part-time employees for drug use.
3. Corporate
Verizon policy of not drug testing employees apply to corporate workers as well. This was confirmed through online interview of corporate employees who shared that they did not have to go through any testing unless there was a situation that made drug testing compulsary. These are discussed in more detail below.
4. Sales Associates
Sales associates are also exempted from any type of drug test as per policy change in 2018. However, Verizon has also mentioned that it has the right to alter the policy anytime it wants or make it part of the employment process if requirement.
Does Verizon Drug Test Employees For Marijuana Use?
A majority of the states in the US have accept Marijuana use as legal within permitted limits. Consequently, the institutions in these states have also accepted the drug for personal and medical use.
Nonetheless, within corporate life, the use of such drugs is strictly prohibited, if not rested for. This means the company does not encourage drug use and there can be consequences if a worker tests positive for it.
What Type of Drugs Does Verizon Test For?
Verizon tests for particular drugs only if the need arises. These are common drugs that are easily available to population and therefore, more frequently used. Some of the important ones are listed below.
- Alcohol.
- Amphetamines.
- Opiates.
- Weed.
It is possible that Verizon tests for additional drugs if a specific name comes up during the investigation. In fact, the company has the right to run an extensive drug panel if its for Worker’s Compensation claims.
A typical way to test for these drugs is to perform a urine test on the employee. Verizon will instruct you to visit one of the closest affiliated labs depending on where you live.
The staff will provide you with a specimen cup, collect the sample, and provide you with a result within 7 days.
The time taken for the results to reach you can also be variable. Sometimes holidays can affect when the lab will be able to process the sample. Typically, 7 business days are sufficient to finalize the report.
Does Verizon Include Prescription Drugs In The Test?
Prescription drugs may include components that are included in the drugs that Verizon tests for. However, this is not something to worry about as long as you have the prescription medications with you.
Therefore, the opiates or such medicines will not be considered a positive drug test at Verizon.
Things can get complicated if you are not able to provide a valid prescription for the type of drug that you have tested positive for.
Moreover, it is also a requirement to submit the bottle that the description was in at the type of the purchase. In such a scenario, it will considered a failed drug test by Verizon.
When Does Verizon Carry Out Drug Test?
As it turns out, Verizon does not include drug testing as part of employee-employer contract. However, there are some situations where the company may be inclined to run particular tests and check for drug use.
Although the scenarios can be extensive, here are some common situations that lead to Verizon drug test.
- If there are any suspicious activities that point out towards a worker being present on duty under the influence of drug.
- In case an employee exhibits actions like slurred speech, incoherent behaviour or he/she smells like weed.
- When co-workers get into a fight, it is highly likely that Verizon will test them for drug use. This is a part of Worker’s Compensation and in case any of them fails the drug test, there can be strict consequences.
- The authorities may intervene and suggest a drug test if anyone is found talking about drug abuse or admitting to its use to other colleagues. The situation is of more concern if the employee is suspected to use drug before coming to work or in duration of working hours.
How Does Verizon Carry Out Drug Test?
Drug test is carried out in any of the affiliated lab or Verizon may only ask you to do the drug test at any place and submit the report to the General Manager at the company. The protocol is highlighted below.
- Walk in and submit the application. You can also fill out the application online,
- Verizon may ask you to go through an initial interview with the department manager. This depends on what situation led to the company suggesting a drug test for you.
- The manager will wrap up the agreement with you.
- He or she will provide you with application and documents.
- The company may or may not run a background check on you.
- It will then instruct you to visit the lab and submit particular sample for the test.
- After the specimen collection, the lab can take up to a week to complete the test and provide you with the report.
Are There Penalty Fees For Positive Drug Test?
Verizon does not impose a penalty on employees who test positive for a prohibited drug. It also does not have the right to report it as a crime but, since it negates the employee contract, the company can fire you immediately in such a situation.
With that being said, there are certain situations that will make the drug test admissible in court and the reports can be used to build a case against you.
This typically happens if you get into a fight under influence and end up injuring someone. When a civil lawsuit is filed, the court can ask Verizon to submit the drug test as a proof of your consumption. Consequently, you will be liable for any damage caused as a result.
In a Nutshell
Verizon does not perform drug tests on current, temporary or corporate employees. The case maybe different if it has to forward your appointment to another company which has made it compulsary to submit drug test reports.
In case an employee is suspected for drug abuse, the company may intervene and check but can not file a law suit unless there was a fight between co-workers under the influence which caused injury to anyone.
