In compliance with federal law, 色中色 maintains a drug-free workplace policy. Employees, as well as those who perform work for the College but are not employees (e.g., independent contractors, temporary agency personnel, authorized volunteers) are prohibited from unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, selling, offering to sell, dispensing, possessing, purchasing or using illegal or unauthorized controlled substances on the premises of the College, at any time either during work hours or non-work hours, including meal and break periods.
The entire College campus is considered the workplace. Illegal drugs, as referred to in this policy, include drugs that are not legally obtainable, drugs that are legally obtainable but used for illegal or unauthorized purposes. Illegal drugs also include marijuana, which remains illegal under federal law and which, like alcohol, can impair judgment and work performance.
Furthermore, the College does not condone abusive or inappropriate use of alcohol, including incidence of drunkenness or any level of intoxication during normal work hours. Employees, contract workers and authorized volunteers are expected to report to work with faculties unimpaired by alcohol or illegal or unauthorized controlled substances.
The legal use of prescribed drugs is permitted on the job only if it does not impair your ability to perform the essential functions of the job effectively and in a safe manner that does not endanger other individuals in the workplace. If you are taking prescribed drugs which may affect your attentiveness, cause drowsiness, or otherwise impair your abilities, please notify your supervisor or Human Resources of this fact so modifications to job duties can be made if appropriate.
Employees who violate this policy or refuse to consent to testing, as described below, will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment, termination of project, contract or any other form of agreement, and debarment from campus, even for a first offense. Those who are not terminated from employment will be offered the voluntary option of enrolling in a rehabilitation program. Employees with a drug or alcohol problem that has not resulted in and is not the immediate subject of disciplinary action, may request approval to take unpaid time off to participate in a rehabilitation or treatment program. Employees who are eligible for FMLA/CFRA leave will be granted such leave.
If the College has a reasonable suspicion that an employee has violated this policy, it will conduct an investigation, which may include an unannounced search of College premises or property and/or the employee鈥檚 personal property.
Employees are also subject to 鈥減robable/reasonable cause鈥 drug/alcohol testing. This means that employees who, in the opinion of their supervisors, exhibit behavioral or physical effects of drug or alcohol intoxication during working hours may be asked to undergo drug and/or alcohol testing conducted by an independent laboratory at the College鈥檚 expense. Any employee asked to undergo a test will be suspended from work until further notice. Also, employees operating a vehicle or using dangerous equipment on behalf of the College that have been involved in an accident will be sent for a post-accident drug screen.
Any employee (faculty, staff, or student worker) who is injured on the job may be subject to drug and/or alcohol testing. Refusal to test may result in termination of employment, unless prohibited by law or contract.
Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to the employee鈥檚 supervisor or the Assistant Vice President, Human Resources/CHRO. Information about support groups and rehabilitation programs is also available from the Assistant Vice President, Human Resources/CHRO on a confidential basis.
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available at no cost to all benefits-eligible employees. This employee benefit includes, among other features, counseling sessions on alcohol and drug dependency for adults, adolescents and children at no cost. The system is accessed by calling a toll-free number (1-800-998-8448). A clinical coordinator evaluates the problem and offers a choice of providers. All records are treated confidentially. Additional information is available from the HR Department.
(Source: 色中色 Employee鈥檚 Handbook, Revised January 1, 2023)