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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 95-215 - Alcohol and Controlled Substances Testing Policy - 12/19/1995 i RESOLUTION NO. S 5 - 2 1 5 CITY OF EDEN PRAIM DRUG and ALCOHOL TESTING POLICY RESOLUTION NO. 8 5 — 21 cJ City of Eden Prairie Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy I. STANDARD Purpose: Employees are expected and required to report to work on time and in appropriate mental and physical condition. The City of Eden Prairie has conferred with the International Union of Operating Engineers representatives and the Eden Prairie Police Department in formulating a policy concerning drugs and alcohol affecting the workplace. This policy establishes standards concerning drugs and alcohol which all city employee's must meet,and it also establishes a testing procedure to ensure that those standards are met. The drug and alcohol testing policy of the City of Eden Prairie will conform to the requirements of state law as set forth in Minnesota State Statutes Section 181.950 - 181.957 and the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. An employee's actions may constitute both a violation of this policy and a violation of criminal laws or other laws and policies. This policy,however,is not designed to identify all activities which might violate such other laws and policies or the procedures to be employed in the event that such other laws and policies are violated. H. DEFINITIONS A. Alcohol means ETHYL alcohol. B. Drug means a controlled substance as defined in Minnesota State Statutes Section 152.01, subdivision 4. C. Confirmatory test and Confirmatory retest mean a drug or alcohol test that uses a method of analysis allowed under one of the programs listed in Minnesota State Statutes Section 181.953, subdivision 1. D. Drug and alcohol testing, drug or alcohol testing, and drug or alcohol test mean analysis of body component samples according to the standards established under one of the programs listed in Minnesota State Statutes Section 181.953, subdivision 1,for the purpose of measuring the presence or absence of drugs, alcohol or their metabolites in the sample tested. E. Drug_paraphernalia has the meaning set forth in Minnesota Statutes Section 152.01, Subd. 18. R.v 12/12//13/m +golldeMiu�•L-wpd 1 Re9f F. Employ means a person,independent contractor or person working for an independent contractor who performs services for compensation, in whatever form,for the City of Eden Prairie. Employee shall also mean a volunteer firefighter who provides services to the City of Eden Prairie. G. Employer means the City of Eden Prairie acting through its city manager or a designee of the city manager. H. Initial Screening Test means a drug or alcohol test which uses a method of analysis under one of the programs listed in Minnesota State Statutes Section 181.953, subdivision 1. I. Job Applicant means a person,independent contractor, or person working for an independent contractor who applies to become an employee of the City of Eden Prairie, and includes a person who has received a job offer made contingent on the person passing drug or alcohol testing. J. Positive Test Results means a finding of the presence of drugs,alcohol, or their metabolites in the sample tested in levels at or above the threshold detection levels contained in the standards of one of the programs listed in Minnesota State Statutes Section 181.953, subdivision 1. K. Reasonable suspicion means a basis for forming a belief based on specific facts and rational inferences drawn from those facts. L. SafM sensitive position means a job,including any supervisory or management position, in which an impairment caused by drug or alcohol usage would threaten the health or safety of any person. M. Special Duty Assignment means any police personnel assigned to the Special Investigations Unit(S". N. Under the influence means impairment do to drugs or alcohol or having the presence of a drug or alcohol at or above the level of a positive test result. III. PROCEDURES A. Under the influence: No employee shall be under the influence of any drug or alcohol while the employee is working or while the employee is on the employer's premises or operating the employer's vehicle,machinery, or equipment, except to the extent authorized by a valid medical prescription and to the extent the employee's ability to safely perform the employee's duties is not adversely affected. e�cwre a.Raea.2a.G.ya 2 Rw 12/12/95 B. Use,Possession,Manufacture,Distribution,Dispensation, Sale or Transfer: No employee shall use,possess,manufacture, distribute, dispense, sell or transfer drugs, alcohol or drug paraphernalia,while the employee is working or while the employee is on the employer's premises or operating the employer's vehicle, machinery or equipment, except pursuant to a valid medical prescription and to the extent that the employee's ability to safely perform the employee's duties is not adversely affected. This paragraph does not apply to an employee who is engaged in a law enforcement activity which has received prior approval of the Chief of Police(or designee)and which requires the employee to possess,manufacture, distribute, dispense, sell or transfer drugs, alcohol, drug paraphernalia or consume alcohol. In addition,this does not apply to Police Personnel transporting or storing contraband or evidence within the normal scope and course of their employment. Liquor store employees are permitted to sell alcoholic beverages at work. C. Notification of convictions: An employee shall notify the employer in writing of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the work place no later than five(5) days after such conviction. The City of Eden Prairie shall notify the appropriate federal agency of such conviction within ten(10) days of receiving notice of the conviction. Employees who drive for work purposes must notify the employer if they lose there Drivers License. D. Employee Assistance Program: The City provides an employee assistance program to aid and assist City employees who are in need of or have been referred for drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation. Employees are encouraged to utilize the services of the employee assistance program. E. Testing Permitted: No person will be tested for drugs or alcohol under this policy without the person's consent. The employer may request or require a job applicant or employee to undergo drug or alcohol testing only under the circumstances described in this policy: 1. Job Applicants: Job applicants for safety-sensitive positions may be requested or required to undergo drug or alcohol testing provided a conditional job offer has been made to the job applicant and the same test is requested or required of all job applicants conditionally offered employment for that position. If the job offer is withdrawn,as provided in Minnesota State Statutes Section 181.953, subdivision 11,the City of Eden Prairie shall inform the job applicant of the reason for its action. Farm Rev 12112/93 e: 2195 t 3 2. Reasonable Suspicion Testing_ The employer may request or require an employee to undergo drug and alcohol testing if there is a reasonable suspicion that the employee: a. Is under the influence of drugs or alcohol while the employee is working or while the employee is on the employer's premises or operating the employer's vehicle,machinery or equipment; or b. Used,possessed, sold or transferred drugs or alcohol while the employee was working or while the employee was on the employer's premises or operating the employer's vehicle, machinery or equipment. This paragraph does not apply to an employee who is engaged in a law enforcement activity which has recieved prior approval fo the Chief of Police(or designee) and which requires the employee to posses,manufacture, distribute, dispense, sell or transfer drugs, alsohol, or consume alcohol. In addition,this does not apply to police personnel transporting or storing contraband or evidence within the normal scope and course of their employment. Nor does this paragraph apply to liquor store employees selling alcoholic beverages in the normal course and scope of their duties; or C. Has sustained a personal injury as that term is defined in Minnesota State Statutes Section 176.011, subdivision 16, or has caused another employee to die or sustain a personal injury; or d. Has caused a work related accident or was operating or helping to operate machinery, equipment, or vehicles involved in a work related accident resulting in property damage. 3. Special Da Assignments: Members of the Police Department Special Investigations Unit, as a condition of their assignment to the unit, are subject to drug and alcohol testing. Members are subject to random testing while on duty(not to exceed twice per calendar year)for the purpose of testing their judgement,fitness and readiness for duty. 4. Other testing: The employer may permit an employee who has requested a drug and alcohol test to undergo testing in accordance with the procedures established by this policy. It is highly recommended that the employee request a test following the discharge of a firearm for reasons other than: 1. on a target range; or 2. while conducting authorized ballistics tests; or 3. as authorized by the City of Eden Prairie Police Department concerning dangerous or suffering animals. Fwm cWfd1'polidnNv{@dcwpd 4 Re 12/12/95 F. Refusal To Undergo Testing 1. Job Applicants: If a job applicant refuses to undergo drug or alcohol testing requested or required by the employer,no such test shall be given, and the job applicant shall be deemed to have withdrawn the application for employment. 2. Employees: If an employee refuses to undergo drug or alcohol testing requested or required by the employer,no such test shall be given, and the employee's department head may recommend to the city manager that the employee be discharged from employment. G. Procedure for Testing: 1. Notification Form: Before requesting an employee or job applicant to undergo drug or alcohol testing,the employer shall provide the individual with a form on which to: a. Acknowledge that the individual has seen a copy of the employer's drug and alcohol testing policy, and b. Indicate any over-the-counter or prescription medications that the individual is currently taking or has recently taken and any other information relevant to the reliability of, or the explanation for, a positive test result, and C. Indicate consent to undergo the drug and alcohol testing. 2. Test Sample: The test sample shall be obtained in a private setting, and the procedures for taking the sample shall ensure privacy to the employees and job applicant to the extent practicable, consistent with preventing tampering with the sample, and may include a witness, and shall conform with applicable rules of the commissioner. No test sample shall be taken on the employer's premises and the test sample shall not be taken by City of Eden Prairie employees. Employees will be driven to collecting point. 3. Identification of Samples: Each sample shall be sealed into a suitable container free of any contamination that could affect test results. The sample shall be identified for processing by the licensed testing laboratory. 4. Chain of custody: The City shall use a collection facility and a testing laboratory which have established reliable chain-of-custody procedures to ensure proper recordkeeping,handling, labeling, and identification of the samples to be tested. The procedures must require the following: F—a`ufaypolida`hu{tralewpd 5 Rev 12/12/95 a. possession of a sample must be traceable to the employee from whom the sample is collected,from the time the sample is collected through the time the sample is delivered to the laboratory; b. the sample must always be in the possession of,must always be in view of, or must be placed in a secured area by a person authorized to handle the sample; C. a sample must be accompanied by a written chain-of-custody record; and d. individuals relinquishing or accepting possession of the sample must record the time the possession of the sample was transferred and must sign and date the chain-of-custody record at the time of transfer. 5. Laboratory: The City shall use the services of a testing laboratory that meets the criteria for drug and alcohol testing listed in Minnesota State Statutes Section 181.953 Subd. 1. 6. Methods of Analysis: The testing laboratory shall use methods of analysis and procedures to ensure reliable drug and alcohol testing results, including standards for initial screening tests and confirmatory tests. 7. Retention and Storage: A laboratory shall retain and properly store for at least six(6)months all samples that produced a positive result. 8. Test Report: A testing laboratory shall conduct a confirmatory test on all samples that produced a positive test result on an initial screening test. A laboratory shall disclose to the employer a written test result report for each sample tested within three working days after a negative test result on an initial screening test or,when the initial screening test produced a positive test result,within three working days after a confirmatory test. A test report must indicate the drugs, alcohol, or drug or alcohol metabolites tested for and whether the test produced negative or positive test results. 9. Notice of Test Results: Within three(3)working days after the receipt of the test results report from the testing laboratory,the employer shall inform the employee or job applicant,who has undergone drug and alcohol testing, in writing of a negative test result on an initial screening test or of a negative or positive test result on a confirmatory test. The employer shall also inform the employee or job applicant of the following rights pursuant to Minnesota State Statutes Section 181.953, Subd. 8: a. The right to request and receive from the employer a copy of the test result report. Fa eWdyl olide*,Z4dcwpd 6 Rev 12/12/95 b. The right to request within five(5)working days after notice of a positive test result a confirmatory retest of the original sample at the employee's or job applicant's own expense. If a confirmatory test is conducted in accordance with the rules adopted by the commissioner and a licensed laboratory, and the confirmatory retest does not result in a positive test result,the department shall reimburse the employee or job applicant the actual cost of the confirmatory retest in an amount not to exceed$100. C. The right to submit information to the employer within three(3) working days after a notice of a positive test result to explain that result. d. The right of an employee for whom a positive test result on a confirmatory test was the first such result on a drug or alcohol test requested by the employer to not be discharged unless the employer has first given the employee an opportunity to participate in either a drug or alcohol counseling or rehabilitation program. Participation in a counseling or rehabilitation program pursuant IV.(2)(a)will be at the employee's own expense or pursuant to coverage under an employee benefit plan. The employer may determine which type of program is more appropriate for the employee after consultation with a certified chemical abuse counselor or a physician trained in the diagnosis and treatment of chemical dependency. The employee may be discharged if they either refuse to participate in the counseling or rehabilitation program, or fail to successfully complete the program. Withdrawal from the program before its completion or a positive test result on a confirmatory test after completion of the program will be considered evidence that the employee has failed to successfully complete the program. e. If the employee has been suspended,the right to be reinstated with back pay if the outcome of the confirmatory or requested confirmatory retest is negative. f. The right not to be discharged, disciplined, discriminated against, or required to be rehabilitated on the basis of medical history information revealed to the employer concerning the reliability of, or explanation for, a positive test result unless the employee or job applicant is under an affirmative duty to provide information before,upon, or after hire. F—cW dypaidaAh z&d—pd 7 Re 12/12/95 g. An employee must be given access to information in the employee's personnel file relating to positive test result reports and other information acquired in the drug and alcohol testing process and conclusions drawn from and actions taken based on the reports or other acquired information. h. The right of an employee or job applicant,who has received a conditional offer of employment made contingent on the applicant passing drug and alcohol testing,to not have the offer withdrawn based on a positive test result from an initial screening test that has not been verified by a confirmatory test. IV. RESPONSIBILITIES AFTER TEST A. Job Applicants: The employer may not withdraw a conditional offer of employment made contingent on the job applicant passing drug and alcohol testing based on a positive test result from an initial screening test that has not been verified by a confirmatory test. Where there has been a positive test result in a confirmatory test and in any confirmatory retest,the employer may withdraw the conditional offer of employment. B. Employees: The employer will not discharge, discipline, discriminate against, request or require rehabilitation of an employee solely on the basis of a positive test result from an initial screening test that has not been verified by a confirmatory test. Where there has been a positive test result in a confirmatory test and in any confirmatory retest,the employer may do the following: 1. First Positive Test Result: Give the employee an opportunity to participate in either a drug or alcohol counseling or rehabilitation program,whichever is more appropriate. The employer,through its employee assistance program may determine which program is more appropriate after consultation with a certified chemical abuse counselor or a physician trained in the diagnosis and treatment of chemical dependency. Participation in a counseling or rehabilitation program will be at the employee's own expense or pursuant to coverage under an employee benefit plan. If the employee either refuses to participate in the counseling or rehabilitation program or fails to successfully complete the program, as evidenced by withdrawal from the program before its completion or has a positive test result on a confirmatory test after completion of the program, the employee's department head may recommend to the city manager that the employee be disciplined;including but not limited to discharge from employment. F�ctrefa,+pulide.k%u9&4-%Vd 8 Rev 12/12/95 2. Second Positive Test Result: If the employee has a second positive test result on a confirmatory test the employee's department head may recommend to the city manager that the employee be disciplined; including,but not limited to discharge from employment. C. Suspensions and Transfers: The employer may temporarily suspend the tested employee or transfer that employee to another position at the same rate of pay pending the outcome of the comfirmatory test and,if requested,the confirmatory retest,provided the employer believes that it is reasonably necessary to protect the health or safety of the employee, co-employees, or the public. An employee who has been suspended without pay must be reinstated with back pay if the outcome of the confirmatory test or requested confirmatory retest is negative. D. Other Misconduct: Notwithstanding any other provision herein, an employee may be disciplined or discharged from employment for conduct which is a violation of city personnel rules,policies and procedures even though the conduct also included a violation of this policy. E. Disclosure: The employer will not disclose the test result reports and other information acquired in the drug or alcohol testing process to another employer, a third party individual, a government agency, or a private organization without the written consent of the employee or job applicant tested,unless permitted by law or court order.Notwithstanding the preceding,Evidence of a positive test result on a confirmatory test may be: (1) used in an arbitration proceeding pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, an administrative hearing under Minnesota Statutes chapter 43A or other applicable state or local law, or a judicial proceeding,provided that information is relevant to the hearing or proceeding; (2) disclosed to any federal agency or other unit of the United States government as required under federal law,regulation, or order, or in accordance with compliance requirements of a federal government contract; and(3)disclosed to a substance abuse treatment facility for the purpose of evaluation or treatment of the employee. F. Written Explanation: An employee or job applicant has the right to offer the employer a written explanation of a positive test result on a confirmatory retest within three(3)working days after notice of the positive test result, and has a right to request within five(5)working days after notice of a positive test result a confirmatory retest of the original sample at another licensed testing laboratory at the employee's or job applicant's own expense. G. Copy of Test Result: An employee or job applicant has the right to request and receive from the employer a copy of the test result report. F=�AsetqW14dArul"-pd 9 Rev 13/12/95 H. Discipline: Concerning disciplinary actions taken pursuant to this drug and alcohol testing policy, available appeal procedures are as follows: 1. Job applicants or temporary employees as defined in the City of Eden Prairie personnel policy shall have no right of appeal. 2. Non-veterans who have not completed the probationary period have no right of appeal. 3. A regular employee,who has completed the probationary period and who is not a veteran,has a right to appeal to the city manager no later than fifteen(15)calendar days after the action, or the employee may utilize the City's grievance procedure or the Grievance Procedure outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement. 4. An employee who is a veteran may have additional rights under the Veterans Preference Act, Minnesota State Statutes Section 197.46. 5. All notices of appeal not covered under a collective bargaining agreement must be submitted in writing to the city manager. 6. An employee who is covered by a collective bargaining agreement may elect to seek relief under the terms of that agreement by contacting the appropriate union and initiating grievance procedures in lieu of taking an appeal to the city manager. I. Drug Free Workplace: The City of Eden Prairie will make a continuing good faith effort to maintain a drug free workplace through the implementation of its' drug and alcohol testing policy. ADOPTED by the Eden Prairie City Council on the 19th day of December, 1995. Jeanis,Mayor ATTEST: Jo .—FraWe, City Clerk F— 10 Rev 12/12/93