Being one of the most prominent fast food chains in the USA, Taco Bell is practically available everywhere.
It is fairly common for many, from working students to migrant workers, to work at this company.
“Does Taco Bell drug test their employees and applicants?”
It is one of the questions we need to discuss appropriately, especially if you have a history of taking prohibited substances.
Before worrying about the drug test, let’s explore the other aspects you need to know if you’re interested in getting a job at Taco Bell.
Contents
Company Background
Taco Bell started in 1962 and was founded by a World War II veteran named Glen Bell.
However, this isn’t exactly the start of Bell’s fast-food journey.
In 1946, right after the war, when he was 23, Glen Bell established Bell’s Drive-In, a hotdog stand in San Bernardino, California.
A few years later, Bell expanded his business by selling hamburgers in a Hispanic community in the same place.
When he was in San Bernardino, a Mexican restaurant named Mitla Cafe caught Bell’s attention.
The restaurant’s tacos are seemingly a big hit, as patrons are willing to wait in long queues to get a bite.
Intrigued by the popularity of the taco, Bell went on and tried his best to replicate the recipe for himself.
After a couple of years, he became close with the owner and willingly shared how the tacos were made.
In 1954, he offered his version of the hard-shell taco to the public.
He named his restaurant “Bell’s Drive-In and Taco Tia.”
The business experienced steady growth, and by 1962, Bell changed the name of his future empire to Taco Bell.
In 2020, there are more than 5,600 Taco Bell outlets in the United States of America alone.
A large percentage is owned and managed by independent franchisees.
With this large-scale business operation, you can assume that they are always looking for people to hire.
Responsibilities of Taco Bell Employees
Before applying for a job at Taco Bell, let’s check out what work you can expect as an entry-level employee.
As you might expect, just like in most fast food restaurants, a Taco Bell team member is usually delegated to day-to-day operational store duties.
These tasks usually revolve around customer assistance, manning the cashier, kitchen-related assignments, cleaning and maintaining the work area, and monitoring the inventory.
Job Opportunities for Felons
If you’re a former inmate who wants to get another start at being part of society, Taco Bell and other companies might give you a shot.
There are stores that the company itself owns, while a franchisee owns some.
As mentioned above, the majority of the outlets are owned by different individuals.
One of the privileges of the individual-owned outlets is that independent hiring decisions are permitted.
If the hiring manager on a franchisee’s outlet you’re applying for considers you, there shouldn’t be any pushback from the main office of Taco Bell.
On the other hand, you might have some difficulty if Taco Bell’s corporate body owns the store you’re targeting.
Taco Bell Drug Test for Employees
While the corporate-owned outlets might have mandatory drug testing for employees, it may not be the same for the individually-owned ones.
According to some forums and job marketplace websites, it appears that, at the very least, it is not a requirement for entry-level workers.
So, regarding “Does Taco Bell drug test employees and applicants?”, it is entirely up to the management of the outlet you’re applying to.
Some branches don’t require it.
A few may have a test, especially if they have a history of employees who didn’t perform well due to the influence of drugs.
Taco Bell Drug Test Procedure
If the store you applied for has mandatory drug screening, they would usually use your urine, saliva, sweat, blood, and in some cases, even hair.
In most cases, urine tests are sufficient to determine narcotics intake in one’s body.
Taco Bell, like other restaurants, utilizes immunoassay tests.
This kind of test uses antibodies to identify and detect the presence of prohibited substances.
Among the advantages of immunoassay tests are the fast processing and inexpensiveness.
The tests can reveal if you get exposed to various drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana, phencyclidine, and opium.
Taco Bell’s Reasons for Drug Testing
Taco Bell, like most legal businesses, prioritizes workplace safety.
As such, performing pre-employment drug tests are conducive to minimizing risks associated with narcotics.
Employers might discourage substance abusers from seeking employment.
They do so by noting on job applications that a contract of employment may be conditional on the outcomes of a drug test.
Pre-employment drug testing is highly recommended for jobs that require people to work in hazardous conditions.
While working at Taco Bell may not be considered dangerous, working under the influence could easily lead to accidents or, at the very least, negatively impact the quality of work.
According to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), drug use could magnify workplace injury claims up to a five-fold increase.
Besides accidents and low quality of work, those actively abusing substances are more prone to absenteeism.
Given these deterrents, it would be fair for employers to implement drug testing.
Mediocre productivity, accidents, and absenteeism could easily lead to loss of profit, customer complaints, and a negative work environment.
Passing a Taco Bell Drug Test
The most recommended method of passing a drug test in Taco Bell or any other similar establishments is to make sure you’re drug-free for at least three days up to a week.
Most substances will dissipate in your body during that period.
One exception is marijuana, which is known to stay in the body for weeks.
Some businesses may have lenient policies due to the legalization in selected states.
Still, it is highly suggested to be still clean of THC when you take the test.
You may also consult a doctor about food and supplements that may help speed up the detoxification process.
Regardless of the method you prefer, don’t attempt to cheat or tamper with the test results.
If you’re caught, you’ll lose the trust of the manager who took a chance on you, not to mention the embarrassment.
Does Taco Bell Drug Test: Conclusion
Not all Taco Bell has mandatory or random drug testing. Still, don’t let yourself be complacent if you are still using prohibited substances.
Being free from substance abuse will only help you in the short and long term.
Applying for a job or not, it’s better to filter the drugs out of your system and lifestyle.
