Personnel Policies for Police Staff Employees
Represented by AFSCME, Local 683 at South Bend

6.2 Substance-free Workplace

Revised July 2007

Staff covered by this policy
This policy applies to Service Maintenance Staff at South Bend.

A. Objectives

  1. To promote a safe, healthy working environment for all employees
  2. To provide assistance toward rehabilitation for any employee who seeks help in overcoming an addiction or dependence on alcohol or drugs
  3. To reduce the incidence of injury to person or property and to reduce absenteeism, tardiness, and poor job performance

B. Prohibitions

  1. The university absolutely prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance or alcohol on university premises or while conducting university business off university premises. Violation of this policy may result in immediate termination of employment.
    1. Controlled substances are those usually referred to as illegal drugs listed under the federal Controlled Substances Act.
    2. Lawful dispensation, possession or use of alcoholic beverages on university property is limited to specifically authorized events.
  2. In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, and as a condition of employment with Indiana University, all employees must:
    1. Abide by the prohibition in point 1. (See above.)
    2. Notify the campus chancellor of any conviction under a criminal drug statute for violations occurring on or off university premises while conducting university business, within 5 days of the conviction.
      1. When the campus chancellor’s office receives notice of such a conviction, it will coordinate efforts to comply with the reporting requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. Indiana University Revised 7/2007
  3. An employee who is (1) found to be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance while on university property, or in the course of a university activity, or (2) convicted of a
    criminal alcohol or drug statute violation occurring on university property, is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
    1. An employee is determined to be under the influence according to the standard set by the applicable standard (e.g., Department of Transportation, Indiana law).
    2. It is lawful for an individual to be under the influence of a controlled substance in a public place if the individual can present positive proof of the following:
      1. The individual is under the care of the Bureau of Addiction Services, a community mental health center, a managed care provider, or a licensed physician.
      2. The controlled substance constitutes medical treatment authorized by state and federal law.

C. Assistance and rehabilitation

  1. Employees requiring assistance in dealing with the use of alcohol or a controlled substance can receive such assistance in two ways: self referral and university referral.
    1. Employees are encouraged to seek confidential information and referral assistance from the following:
      1. Physician and/or Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP counselors are available by toll-free call at 888-234-8327. (Available to full-time appointed employees and their household members only.)
      2. List of local social service agencies. Employees are advised to check with their health care provider for coverage information.
  2. An employee's off-work use of alcohol or drugs can cause excessive absenteeism or tardiness, or cause accidents or poor work performance. If this can reasonably be established, the employee will be counseled to seek assistance.
    1. An employee’s need for assistance or rehabilitation will be treated as confidential by the supervisor receiving it and only those persons “needing to know” will be made aware of the request.
    2. Rehabilitation is an acceptable purpose for a leave of absence subject to consideration of the other conditions listed in the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Rights policy.

D. Drug and Alcohol Testing

  1. When it is reasonably believed that an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on the job, the following guidelines apply:
    1. The employee may be removed from the workplace until the employee is no longer under the influence and during the time an investigation is underway. In such circumstances, the supervisor will arrange to have the employee transported home.
    2. The employee may be required to undergo drug or alcohol testing. This could occur both at the time the employee is suspected of being under the influence and/or before the employee is allowed to return to work as evidence the employee is no longer under the influence.
    3. An employee's refusal to participate in requested drug and/or alcohol testing is a separate offense subject to discipline as provided in the Corrective Action policy.
    4. An employee found to be under the influence in an amount detectable by the testing agency is subject to discipline as provided in the Corrective Action policy.
    5. The supervisor may counsel the employee to seek assistance.
  2. In connection with the implementation of the drug and alcohol testing policy, the University is committed to having its employees trained in order to ensure, as far as possible, the consistent enforcement of the policy. Accordingly, in addition to arranging for training for its management staff, the University will also offer training to the Union President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of AFSCME Local 1477-01 and at least one union steward from each shift. Others may also be trained by mutual agreement of the parties.
  3. If an employee suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol agrees to undergo drug testing, the University will notify the union as soon as practical. If an employee suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol refuses to undergo drug testing, the employee will be offered the opportunity for union representation prior to removing the employee from the workplace pending disciplinary action whenever possible provided such representation is immediately available.

E. Criminal Penalties

  1. All persons are reminded that conviction under state and federal laws that prohibit alcohol and drug-related conduct can result in fines, confiscation of automobiles and other property. A conviction can also result in the loss of a license to drive or to practice in certain professions, and barred opportunities from employment.
  2. A person who exhibits alcohol-related behavior such as the following is at risk of arrest:
    1. A person under 21 who possess alcohol
    2. A person who provides alcohol to a person under 21
    3. A person who is intoxicated in public
    4. A person who sells alcohol beverages without a license

F. Health risks associated with alcohol

All persons should be aware of the following health risks caused by alcohol:

  1. Consumption of more than two average servings of alcohol in several hours can impair coordination and reasoning, and make driving an unsafe activity.
  2. Consumption of alcohol by a pregnant woman can damage the unborn child. A pregnant woman should consult her physician about this risk.
  3. Regular and heavy alcohol consumption can cause serious health problems such as damage to the liver and to the nervous and circulatory systems.
  4. Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short time may quickly produce unconsciousness, coma, and even death.

G. Health risks associated with drugs

  1. The health risks associated with controlled substances are numerous and varied depending on the drug. Nonetheless, the use of drugs not prescribed by a physician are harmful to the health. For example, drug use can cause the following conditions:
    1. Impaired short-term memory or comprehension
    2. Anxiety, delusions, and hallucinations
    3. Loss of appetite resulting in damage to one’s long-term health
    4. A drug-dependent newborn, if the mother uses drugs during pregnancy
      1. Pregnant women who use alcohol or drugs, or who smoke should consult their physician.
    5. AIDS, as a result of drug users who share needles
    6. Death from overdose

 

 

 

Last updated: July 2007

Human Resources
Indiana University South Bend
Privacy Statement