McDonald’s Corporation (McDonald’s) is an American fast-food chain with a global presence. Although it owns restaurants, the company mainly franchises with 36,059 out of 38,695 restaurants located in 119 countries franchised. All McDonald’s restaurants serve the same menu of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and desserts, besides food items unique to the locale or country.
As of December 31, 2019, the Chicago-based company has 205,000 employees worldwide. Is getting a job at McDonald’s easy? It depends on your local McDonald’s restaurant with the application taking place online or in-store. If you are worried about any drug test, this post can help put things in perspective.
Does McDonald’s Drug-Test Employees?
McDonald’s works differently from other companies because it directly operates stores and franchises some, if not most, of the branches throughout the world. For example, the company has Standards of Business Conduct, which applies to its employees and its majority-owned subsidiaries worldwide. While said standards do not apply to franchisees (called owners/operators) and their employees, the company encourages them to frame and adopt policies based on the standards.
Here’s an outline of prohibited acts concerning drugs and alcohol:
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Possession or use of said substances while in the workplace or engaged in a work-related activity
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Working under the influence of alcohol or substance that may prevent an employee from working safely and effectively
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Distribution of any alcohol or drugs at work
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Possession or consumption of alcohol on the company’s premises, unless authorized, such as in company-sponsored social events
Pre-employment Drug Testing
Generally speaking, getting hired at McDonald’s may not be dependent on taking and passing a drug test. However, the company can still require an applicant to submit to a drug test before hiring.
Drug Testing during Employment
The company can conduct random drug testing on its employees. An undated employee handbook notes that McDonald’s can require an employee to test for illegal drug use if they seem to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on duty.
The Answer
A reading of McDonald’s policies tells you what to expect while under the company’s payroll as a crew member, for example. Failure to pass the test can have serious repercussions, including termination. While, based on testimonials online, the company does not say much about pre-employment drug testing, you are still better off getting more information about drug tests to boost your job application.
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References:
Latest McDonalds 10-K
McDonalds Standards of Business Conduct