HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 96-027-CCB:\C-3RESOL.2
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Grant County, Washington
IN THE MATTER OF COUNTY POLICY )
REGARDING ALCOHOL AND DRUG-FREE )
WORKPLACE AND COMPLIANCE WITH )
THE DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ACT OF )
1988 (PUB. L. 100-690, TITLE V. )
SUBTITLE D.) )
RESOLUTION NO. 96 -27 -CC
WHEREAS, as a result of the Omnibus Drug Act of 1988, beginning March 18,
1989, all recipients of federal grants will be required to certify that they will
maintain a drug-free workplace in order to remain eligible for federal contracts or
federal grants; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Grant County Commissioners recognizes that alcohol
and drug use in government and business constitutes a safety, health and economic
hazard to the business community; and
WHEREAS, the'Board of Grant County Commissioners and Grant County as an
employer desires to provide for all its employees a work environment which is free
from alcohol and drug use; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Grant County Commissioners that the
Grant County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy, attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference as Exhibit A is hereby adopted.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the terms and conditions of the Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Policy shall apply to all employees of Grant County.
ADOPTED by he Board of. County Commissioners of Grant County,
Washington, this day of March, 1996.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
GRANT COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Tim Sn ad, C it
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X-Dx�
Helen Fancher. . M
&-,! ! `"
LeRoy C,/Allison,
ATTEST:
Qj� A/0 W4\ A
Peggy �gg, -Clerk/j the Board
APPROVED AS TO FOR
Pr - ut' Atforney
ember
Member
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EXHIBIT A
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE POLICY
A. PURPOSE
It is the policy of Grant County to maintain a safe, healthful and productive
work environment for all employees. This policy provides guidelines for the
detection and deterrence of alcohol and drug abuse in Grant County. It also
outlines the responsibilities of management and employees. To that end, the
County will act to eliminate any substance abuse: alcohol, illegal drugs,
prescription drugs or any other substance which could impair an employee's
ability to safely and effectively perform the functions of their particular job
which increases the potential for accidents, absenteeism, substandard
performance, poor employee morale, or damage to the County's reputation or
property. All persons employed by Grant County are covered by this policy
and are hereby made aware that violations of this policy may result in
discipline, up to and including discharge. Misuse of alcohol and drugs will
not be tolerated by Grant County Government. This policy is intended to be
administered in conjunction with procedures outlined in Collective Bargaining
Agreements regarding bargaining unit personnel.
For many years, Grant County has had a strong commitment to its employees
to provide a safe work environment and to promote high standards of employee
health. Consistent with the spirit and intent of this commitment, Grant
County has established this policy regarding alcohol and drug abuse.
In recognition of the serious duty entrusted to the employees of the County,
with knowledge that alcohol and "drugs do hinder a person's ability to perform
duties safely and effectively, the following policy against alcohol and drug
abuse is hereby adopted.
B. OBJECTIVES
1. Increase employee awareness of the dangers of alcohol and drug use
and/or abuse.
2. Eliminate the use, abuse, and/or possession of alcohol and unauthorized
drugs on County premises.
3. Recognize the changes in employee's work, safety, attendance, and/or
behavior which may identify potentially affected employees.
4. Encourage and motivate affected employees to seek appropriate
assistance. Confidentiality will be maintained, as much as possible.
C. POLICY
It is Grant County's expectation that employees shall not report to work under
the influence of alcohol and/or drugs; possess, while on duty or subject to
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being called; or utilize such substances while they are subject to duty; sell
or provide alcohol or drugs to anyone while such employee is on duty; or have
their ability to work impaired as a result of the use of alcohol or drugs.
While use of medically prescribed medications and drugs is not per se a
violation of this policy, failure by the employee to notify his/her supervisor,
before beginning work, when taking medications or drugs which may interfere
with the safe and effective performance of duties or operation of equipment,
can result in discipline, up to and including termination. In the event there
is a question regarding an employee's ability to safely and effectively perform
assigned duties while using such medications or drugs, written clearance
from a physician will be required.
The County reserves the right to search, without employee consent, all areas
and property belonging to Grant County. Otherwise, the County shall notify
law enforcement that an employee may have illegal drugs in his or her
possession or in an area not jointly or fully controlled by the County.
Employees reasonably believed to be under the influence of alcohol and/or
drugs shall be prevented from engaging in further work and shall be detained
for a reasonable time until such time as the employee can be safely transported
from the work site.
Rehabilitation of individual employees from abuse of alcohol and/or drugs is
of primary importance to Grant County. Accordingly, Grant County shall
establish an employee assistance program to be available to counsel its
employees of (a) the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse in the workplace; (b)
the availability of alcohol and drug counseling rehabilitation, and an
explanation of benefits available through the County's insurance carriers; and
(c) the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for alcohol and drug
abuse violations occurring in the workplace.
D. APPLICATION
This policy applies to all applicants for positions and employees of Grant
County. This policy applies to alcohol and to all substances, drugs, or
medications, legal or illegal, which could impair an employee's ability to
effectively and safely perform the functions of their job.
E. EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
An employee shall:
1. Not report to work or be subject to duty while his/her ability to perform
job duties is impaired due to alcohol and/or drug use, (including
prescription drugs) on or off duty.
2. Not possess or use, alcohol and/or drugs (illegal drugs and legal drugs
without a prescription) during working hours;
3. Not sell or provide alcohol and/or drugs to any person or to any other
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employee while either employee or both employees are on duty;
4. Notify his/her supervisor, before beginning work, when taking any
medications or drugs, prescription or non-prescription, which may
interfere with the safe and effective performance of duties or operation
of County equipment;
5. Notify the employer within five days of any criminal alcohol or drug
statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace.
F. PROCEDURES
1. No employee shall be permitted to report to work or continue to perform
work while in possession of, or under the influence of alcohol or other
drug substances which in any way affects safe and efficient physical
performance and/or mental judgment. Any employee found in such an
apparent condition, will be removed from the work site and is subject
to disciplinary action up to and including discharge.
2. Employees found to be manufacturing, selling or providing alcohol and/
or other drug substances to anyone either on County premises, or
during their work time are subject to disciplinary action up to and
including termination.
3. Employees found to be using alcohol and/other drug substances while
on County premises or during work hours are subject to discipline up
to and including discharge.
4. Recognizing that employee performance will be affected by alcohol and/
or drug abuse, incidents of unacceptable employee performance will be
discussed with the employee and documented in writing as well as
placing said documentation in the employee's personnel file. Continued
unacceptable performance will result in progressive disciplinary action
that could lead to the employee's discharge.
5. Information and educational materials will be provided to familiarize all
employees with the danger of alcohol and/or drug abuse.
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