Instacart Express

Does Instacart Drug Test?

Does Instacart Drug Test? How long does it take for Instacart to approve you? We will get to that shortly.

Introduction

Instacart Express

Obviously, American consumers’ favorite supermarket delivery service, Instacart is based in 50 US states, as well as Washington D.C. The company employs more than 9.200 employees, all of which have unique job duties that play a major role in the operational processes.

It also claims to have 9.6 million users that are constantly active and 500,000 plus shopper, self-employed contractors who fulfill orders.

Instacart shoppers are responsible for retrieving and delivering customers to their homes or places of business. Instant members can opt-in or opt-out of a monthly subscription that offers free deliveries on all orders over the minimum of $35.

Instacart Express offers members another perk – a lower fee of 1.9 percent compared to the normal 5 percent. All of this for less than $10 per month or less than $100 per year.

What Are The Perks Of Working For Instacart?

Being an Instacart employee comes with many perks:

  • Healthcare insurance package (medical, vision, and dental)
  • Paid vacations
  • Paid sick leave
  • Competitive pay
  • Maternity leave (paid and unpaid)
  • Flex-time
  • DNA testing screens for familial hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) and cancer

Since shoppers are considered self-employed contractors, the perks are lacking. Decent pay (average $11 an hour), without a healthcare insurance option, no Paid Time Off (PTO), no paid maternity leave, or paid vacation. One perk of being an Instacart shopper is unpaid time off up to 15 consecutive days.

Why Americans Are Becoming Instacart Express Members?

As the COVID-19 pandemic continuous to loom overhead, many American consumers are isolated in their homes. Many fear contracting the virus if they go out in public. Fortunately, it is not necessary to obtain groceries, fast food, and other personal items.

Instacart offers its customer’s a personal shopping option. Customers can choose from hundreds of thousands of personal care and cleaning products. Soap, shampoo, paper towels, toilet paper, clothing,  cosmetics, pet supplies, toys, arts & crafts, baby diapers, and household cleaning supplies.

The mere fact, there is no need to visit a retail store or alcohol, beer, and spirits shop will minimize your risk of contracting the coronavirus.

Instacart and other American delivery services are encouraging consumers to shop from home. Walmart, Amazon, and other e-commerce retail giants are also offering delivery services. In many cases, customers can receive their orders within 48 hours of their initial request.

Why Americans Are Turning To Instacart For Extra Cash During COVID-19?

The global COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of small businesses to shutter their doors. Initially, coronavirus-impacted small businesses were under the impression, the closure was only temporary. Unfortunately, a year later, many of the impacted businesses are still closed and some are expected to stay closed permanently.

These business closings and others have resulted in millions of part- and full-time workers being laid off. Some of the impacted workers were laid on immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency announced, which took place in March 2020.

While unemployment benefits are working for some of the impacted workers, others are struggling to make ends meet. To cover their mortgages, car payments, healthcare insurance, grocery bill, and utilities, a few of the impacted workers have opted to become Instacart shoppers.

Instacart pays shoppers between $10 and $15 an hour. The downside, the company does not reimburse shoppers for their fuel usage during work hours, according to current and previous workers. Another downside is Instacart shoppers are classified as self-employed contractors.

A self-employed contractor is like a small business owner without the employees, brick-and-mortar commercial establishments.

What are the downsides of being an Instacart contractor? The biggest downside is contractors are responsible for accumulated self-employment and FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes. The good news, Instacart shoppers can deduct their work travel expenses on their income taxes.

Does Instacart Run Background Checks On Potential New-Hires?

Yes, all applicants are required to submit a written consent for a background check. Instacart utilizes the background record to validate the applicant’s name, physical address, driver’s license number, and criminal history.

On average, an employee background check takes between five and 10 business days to complete. It is not unusual for Instacart to run background checks on several applicants simultaneously. In this case, the processing can be delayed by several days.

Instacart recruiters will sometimes offer job applicants conditional employment. Unlike part- or full-time employment, a conditional employment offer is the only temporary based on specific conditions. The conditions are put into place and the applicant must agree to the conditions prior to the start date.

Does Instacart Hire Applicants With Felons?

Yes, but under specific circumstances. According to several employees, Instacart hires felons only when the conviction did not occur within the past 5 to 10 years. It is unclear what the restrictions are since Instacart has not voiced them publically.

Instacart Shopper Rating

Shoppers are rated by Instacart Express members and other active users. Customer ratings are based on speed, condition of order, and complete orders. Instacart users take their orders seriously. If shoppers do not deliver according to their specifications, they will deduct points from their rating.

Many Instacart shoppers complain about the customer rating system. But, Instacart refuses to taken action. In fact, the company believes its employee rating system is fair and impartial.

While members and rate shoppers, some do not tip. In America, it is courtesy to tip at least 15 percent of the total tab. Shoppers rely on tips to cover their gas because Instacart does not reimburse for mileage.

Does Instacart Drug Test?

Does Instacart Drug Test?

Instacart does not perform pre-employment or random drug testing. The company expects its employees to heed the state and federal drug laws.

Employees are expected to represent Instacart with the utmost professionalism. Companies save thousands of dollars annually by not having an employee drug testing program.

Instacart Alcohol Delivery

Instacart shoppers are required to meet specific criteria to be permitted to shop and deliver alcohol to customers. Shoppers must be at least 21 years of age, have a valid driver’s license, and willingness

Only customers 21 years of age and older are required to order alcohol via Instacart. Customers are required to provide shoppers with an active photo driver’s license. Instacart does not accept the following documents for alcohol orders:

  • Green cards
  • Passports
  • State-issued ID cards that cannot be scanned
  • Expired driver’s licensed or other state-photo identification cards

How Do Instacart Handle Non-Refillable Orders?

Like Walmart, Instacart allows shoppers to replace unavailable items with similar items. Replacements must be the same size, flavor, price, and dietary specifications. This does not include alcohol orders.

When a specific brand of alcohol is not available, the shopper will notify the customer to determine if a replacement is acceptable. Customers can then refuse or replace the unavailable alcohol with another brand.

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