HomeMy WebLinkAbout300-05s-
nLL
POLICY & PROCEDURE
Subject: Indez: F[iJMAN RESOURCES &RISK
ALCOHOLISM/SUBSTANCE ABUSE MANAGEMENT
Number: 300-OS
Effective Date Supersedes Page Staff Contact roved By
4/1/97 3/17/89 1 of 3 B. Nelson Glode
1.0 PURPOSE
1.1 To establish a policy recognizing alcoholism and substance abuse as treatable conditions
and to encourage employees with such a problem to seek appropriate treatment.
1.2 To prescribe procedures for handling problems related to alcohol or substance abuse in the
workplace.
2.0 ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED
All departments/divisions.
3.0 REFERENCES
Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988
Policy&Procedure#300-40, Employee Assistance Program
4,0 POLICY
4.1 It is not the intention of the City of Renton to interfere with the private lives of its
employees. It is expected, however, that employees will report to work and remain in a
condition to perform their duties in a safe, efficient and legal manner. The City of Renton
recognizes that on- and off-the job use of alcohol or controlled substances can have an
adverse impact on the workplace.
4.2 The City of Renton recognizes alcoholism and substance abuse as treatable conditions and
encourages employees who suspect they may have such a problem to seek diagnosis,
counseling or other appropriate treatment services.
4.2.1 Supervisors, coworkers or the employee concerned may confidentiallv request
initial assistance from the Human Resources &Risk Management Department or
the City's employee assistance program provider, Maschhoff, Barr& Associates
see Policy&Procedure#300-40). Assistance will be given in finding appropriate
agencies to deal with the problem of alcohol or substance abuse.
4.2.2 It is expected that an employee having alcohol or substance abuse problems will
seek appropriate treatment. The City will e ctend the same consideration and
assistance, including insurance and sick leave benefits, to those employees
suffering from alcoholism or substance abuse as is extended to employees having
any other condition.
4.2.3 Generally the City's concern with alcoholism or substance abuse is strictly limited
to its effect on the employee's performance on the job. There are positions of high
ALCOHOLISM/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
300-OS
Page 2
trust and confidence with the organization, however, where the existence of
substance abuse could jeopardize the individual's employment regardless of job
performance (e.g., law enforcement or firefighters).
4.2.4 This policy will not result in any specific privileges or exemptions, nor will it
release any employee from the responsibility of ineeting acceptable job
performance standards.
4.3 The possession, use, transfer, offering or sale of alcoholic beverages and/or controlled
substances at the workplace will be considered cause for disciplinary action, up to and
including discharge. Impaired work performance/behavior or the performance of work
responsibilities while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances can pose a
hazard to the safety and welfare of the affected employee, other employees or the public.
This condition is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action, up to and
including discharge.
4.3.1 Possession, use, transfer, offering or sale of controlled substances on City property
will also be treated as a criminal matter and will be referred to the Renton Police
Department for investigation and appropriate action.
4.3.2 Exception: The possession and use of inedically-prescribed or over-the-counter
drugs during working hours is pernussible. The employee shall have no obligation
to inform his or her supervisor of such usage unless the prescribed or over-the-
counter drug contains a warning notice of possible impairment which may prevent
the employee from performing his or her job safely or effectively. Drugs must be
prescribed for the specific use of the employee.
4.3.3 City employees who work in a department/division which receives: one or more
federal contract awards of$25,000 or more; federal contracts awarded to
individuals; or a federal grant regardless of grant size; are required, as a condition
of employment, not only to abide by the policy but to report criminal convictions
for drug-related activity in the Workplace in accordance with the provision of the
Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. The report must be made to the City's Human
Resources &Risk Management Administrator or designee no later than five (5)
days after the conviction.
4.3.4 The Human Resources&Risk Management Administrator or designee shall notify
the federal contracting or granting agency of any criminal convictions of
employees for illegal drug activity in the Workplace within ten (10) days of
learning about the conviction.
4.3.5 The head of a department/division which receives federal funds as specified in
section 4.3.3 of this policy shall be responsible for notifying all department/division
employees that they are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Act
of 1988 and the provisions of section 4.3.3 as well as all other sections of this
policy. The department/division head shall also be responsible for ensuring that all
of his or her employees have read and understood the provisions of this policy and
for providing all new employees, regular and temporary, with a copy of the City's
drug-free Workplace policy statement.
5.0 DEFINITIONS
5.1 Alcoholism: For the purpose of this policy alcoholism is defined as a condition in which
the consumption of alcoholic beverages interferes with the employee's job performance.
ALCOHOLISM/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
300-OS
Page 3
5.2 Controlled Substances: Those substances whose dissemination is controlled by regulation
or statute including, but not limited to, narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens,
cannabis and other drugs.
5.3 D)ru?s: Any substance which impairs an employee's ability to perForm his or her job or
which poses a threat to the safety of others. This definition includes prescription and
over-the-counter medications.
5.4 Imnaired/CJnder the Influence Behavior: Behavior which may limit the employee's ability
to perfortn his or her job duties safely and efficiently or which poses a threat to the safety
of employees or others.
6.0 PROCEDURES
Not applicable.