Drug usage is becoming increasingly more common in everyday life, from prescription medication like Adderall to widespread usage of medicinal THC and CBD, both of which can cause a positive drug screening result.
So, does UPS drug test its employees, and if so, what do you need to know about it? If you’d like to find out, keep reading to see what I found out!
Does UPS Drug Test In 2024?
UPS conducts a 5-panel urine drug test that looks for THC, Amphetamines, Cocaine, Opiates, and PCP in employees such as drivers, package handlers, and management positions in 2024. UPS does not use blood or hair follicle drug tests. If you’re required to pass a drug screening, the test will be administered when you go in for your physical.
Be sure to check out the rest of the article if you’re interested in learning more about UPS drug tests and what they can mean for you!
Does UPS Drug Test Package Handlers?
Many companies prefer not to broadcast the fact that they drug test, so they can avoid potential employees using items to trick the test and create a false negative result, and UPS is no different.
Because UPS prefers to keep the details of its drug screenings quiet, it can be difficult to know what to expect if you haven’t already been through it.
However, Indeed makes it a point to create pages on all sorts of different employers so that previous and current employees have a place to share honest opinions and reviews, as well as answer any questions potential future employees may have.
On the UPS Indeed page, there’s an entire section dedicated to information on drug screenings.
From the information on this page, it seems like UPS began drug testing for some package handlers in 2020, although there are mixed reviews even after 2020.
It largely seems to depend on the supervisor in charge of hiring and the facility you’re working in.
Therefore, it’s probably best to assume that if you’re applying as a package handler, there will be a drug test involved.
You can also expect to be drug tested if there’s any reason for UPS to suspect a drug issue, i.e. repeatedly showing up late to work or falling asleep on the job, if there’s an accident, or if you’re injured on the job.
Do UPS Drivers Have to Pass a Drug Test?
UPS requires all of its drivers to hold special licensing, and it does in fact drug test, according to Indeed.com.
Most current or former drivers for UPS report having to pass some sort of pre-employment drug test if hired anytime after 2019, and it’s company policy for any drivers involved in an accident to be drug tested.
UPS also requires that any employee be drug tested prior to being approved to receive worker’s compensation after an accident or workplace injury.
Does UPS Do Hair Follicle Drug Tests?
UPS doesn’t use hair follicle tests, so when a UPS employee needs to undergo a drug test, the company uses a 5-panel urine screen, which looks for the top 5 most abused substances:
- THC
- Amphetamines
- Cocaine
- PCP
- Opiates
These tests, while accurate, do not test for all types of drugs, only the most popular and disruptive substances.
Several of these substances, however, can come back positive even if the person being tested is not using illegal drugs.
For example, if someone uses medical CBD supplements to help with back pain or sleep, these CBD substances can create a false positive on a drug screening.
A false positive can occur due to the fact that your body breaks CBD down in a similar way to THC.
There are also prescription drugs such as Adderall and Oxycontin that are perfectly legal to use if they’re being prescribed by a medical doctor.
However, both of these medications can create a false positive in drug tests for Amphetamines and Opiates, respectively.
If you’re concerned about getting a false positive on a drug screening, be sure to talk to your hiring manager and your doctor.
While they may tell you to stop using CBD products to avoid a false THC positive, you do not need to stop using prescribed medications.
Instead, get a note from the prescribing doctor so your hiring manager is aware of what false positives may show up, and have evidence that your result is not due to drug abuse.
Does UPS Drug Test Seasonal Employees?
UPS does not, by all accounts, drug test its seasonal employees prior to employment.
The only reason you would be drug tested as a seasonal employee is if you are suspected of doing drugs, are inebriated while on the job, or if you get hurt and/or are involved in an accident.
This is mostly for safety reasons, and due to worker’s compensation laws. Otherwise, most facilities don’t bother with costly, slow drug tests, especially around the busiest time of the year.
Does UPS Drug Test at Orientation?
UPS requires all new employees to go through an employee orientation after they’re hired to help prepare them for their job, administer training, and introduce them to future coworkers.
This orientation is often the very first thing a new employee does, so it’s natural to assume that this is also where UPS would administer drug screenings. However, this is not the case.
If UPS is going to ask you to take a drug test, then that drug test will be administered by professional medical staff when you go in to get your physical done.
To learn more, you can also see our posts on UPS leave of absence policy, how fast is UPS Ground, and if it is easy to get a job at UPS.
Conclusion
UPS does require some of its employees to pass a pre-employment drug screening, although it depends mostly on the facility you work at, your manager, and the position you’re applying for.
UPS package handlers occasionally have to pass pre-employment drug screenings, whereas almost all UPS drivers have to pass a drug test.
