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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-01 Establshing Alcohol/Drug Policy for City Employees RESOLUTION NO. Yr:.- -c''':)/ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND ESTABLISHING AN ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY FOR CITY EMPLOYEES AND DECLARING THE CITY A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF ASHLAND AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Ashland City Council recognizes that our employees are our most valuable asset in providing quality municipal services in Ashland and we are concerned about their health, safety and well-being. It is the policy of the City of Ashland that all City employees will be provided a drug-free work environment. Misuse and/or abuse of substances may lead to poor work performance and may be dangerous to the user, fellow employees, and the public. SECTION 2. This policy endorses rehabilitation for employees diagnosed as alcoholic or drug dependent. The City recognizes chemical dependency as a progressive disease having behavioral, psychological, social and medical symptoms. The City also believes that in most instances, chemical dependencies can be treated successfully. The City recognizes that misuse of alcohol and other drugs is a pervasive problem in our society in general and that problems with substance abuse exist within our community and may exist within our organization. SECTION 3. The City has a responsibility to all its employees, those people who use or come into contact with our services, and the general public to ensure safe working conditions for our employees. SECTION 4. Where the term "employee" is used herein, it shall include management personnel, supervisory personnel and all full and part-time personnel of the city. SECTION 5. The City's objectives in this area are to establish a safe and healthy workplace for all employees: a. by increasing employee awareness of the dangers of drug use and abuse, b. by training supervisors to identify job performance problems at the earliest possible time, c. by encouraging the use of the City's Employee .A.ssistance Program to resolve personal problems, d. by providing training for employees in how to resolve personal problems and handle stress, e. by making treatment for chemical dependency, and ongoing recovery, accessible to all employees. SECTION 6. The City's Employee Assistance Program exists to provide assistance to individuals affected by alcohol and other drug problems or other personal difficulties. Employees with dependence probl1ems are encouraged to seek help voluntarily through EAP or other means, including use of employee health care benefits. 1 SECTION 7. The presence or treatment of a substance use problem does not excuse an employee from meeting performance, safety or attendance standards or following other City instructions. In no circumstance may an employee invoke protection offered under this policy as a means to avoid disciplinary actions resulting from poor work performance or misconduct at work. Each employee is expected to report to work, and to re:main capable of performing all functions throughout his/her shift. SECTION 8. Any criminal activity involving manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of any controlled substance (including prescription medication) on City premises or while conducting City business is strictly prohibited. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination, and may have other legal consequences. SECTION 9. Any employee, convicted of a workplace drug crime or accident involving usage of any controlled substance will be required to attend and successfully complete a rehabilitation program as a condition of continuing employment with the City. Any employee who is so required will first be evaluated for drug and alcohol use by an accredited professional. The cost of such an evaluation shall be paid by the City. An employee may also be required to participate in follow-up care as part of a comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment program. Depending upon the nature of the crime or accident which led to the employee's mandated participation in an alcohol and drug treatment program, the employee may be required to submit to testing for alcohol and/or drugs for a specified period of time and to meet various performance standards which are imposed as a condition of continued employment. The City provides health insurance for most of its employees that will pay for most of the costs of a rehabilitation program, and the City will assist any employee with paying for his or her costs of such a program. SECTION 10. It is the intent of this policy to ensure that e:mployees suffering from chemical dependency will not have their job security and promotional opportunities jeopardized by making a request for help. However, the continued employment for employees who are convicted of a workplace drug crime or accident involving usage of any controlled substance, may be dependent upon the nature of the incident and of the willingness of the employee to participate in the program set forth in Section 9 above. SECTION 11. The Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act requires any employee, funded through a federal grant or contract, to report any con"viction for a violation of a drug statute for an incident that occurred at the workplace, within five days of the conviction. The City is required to report all such convictions to the federal government. SECTION 12. The City will continue its efforts to provide training and educational materials on substance abuse to its employees as part of its drug awareness program. 2 SECTION 13. The City Administrator is hereby directed to develop and/or provide work rules, informational materials, training programs and other documents necessary to carry out the objectives of this policy. The foregoing Resolution was READ and DULY ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ashland, Oregon, on the ,.// ""'-.e1 .,' , day of . ,.".d~< '~'/~J ''-_______-- '.J! , ,. , 19Yc-. '~~A-~~ ~ h/C/[{~HO' Nan E. Franklin City Recorder SIGNED and APPROVED this ~:~~// day of / 7 rJ-c...-<--<, A:,/~,:-_j I _-/",,-1 0 //",<ir , )' /1A ~ ,~ / a---c/~-_ j,,-7 1/ ( k--( ___ "- L ~ ..~ "_ Catherine M. Golden Mayor 19 ~~''(i _ . 3