Shelby County Board of Education
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1008

 
Issued Date: 08/26/10


DRUG FREE ENVIRONMENT



It is the policy of the Shelby County Schools to maintain a drug-free and safe work environment. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, purchase, sale, transfer, or use of drugs or alcohol when on the job or in the workplace are strictly prohibited. Employees should not be under the influence of drugs (as defined below) or alcohol during their working hours for Shelby County Schools regardless of whether those drugs or alcohol were consumed during working hours or prior thereto.

Drugs are defined for the purpose of this policy as: (a) drugs which are not legally obtainable, and (b) drugs which are legally obtainable, but have not been prescribed by a licensed physician for the person that is in possession of the drug.

When management has reasonable suspicion to believe that an employee is using or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at work, management may request that the employee participate in a drug and/or alcohol screening procedure to determine if the employee has evidence of alcohol or drugs in his or her blood or urine. The supervisor or managerial person shall relate to the employee the reason the test is being requested. A refusal to submit to the above procedure will be considered insubordination which is a major infraction and subject to major discipline, up to and including possible termination.

If the employee does submit to the said screening procedure and it is determined that there is evidence of drugs or alcohol present, disciplinary action up to and including termination may result.

All persons in jobs within the system requiring commercial driver's licenses will be subject to drug and alcohol testing as mandated by federal law and the Tennessee Code Annotated.

The violation of any provision of this policy is considered a major disciplinary infraction and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Under appropriate circumstances, management may require that the employee participate fully and satisfactorily in an approved drug or alcohol rehabilitation program coordinated by Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and such participation may be considered as part of the disciplinary process. The employee will be allowed to return to work only with a signed Return to Work Agreement.

As a condition of continued employment with Shelby County Schools, all employees must abide by Shelby County Schools System's policy on an alcohol and drug-free workplace.