Sec. 25-3.04. Alcohol and Controlled Substance Abuse.
a.The City is committed to providing a work environment that is safe, healthy and free of any adverse effects caused by alcohol or controlled substances. City employees shall not be permitted to possess, distribute, or use alcohol or controlled substances while on duty for the City while on City property, or using City equipment; and City employees are not permitted to perform services and/or operate motor vehicles while under the influence of those substances. Consumption of alcohol or controlled substances at rest or meal breaks prior to returning or going to work shall be prohibited.
b.For the purpose of enforcing this policy and maintaining an alcohol, drug, and controlled substance-free work place, the City reserves the right to search all work areas and property in which the City maintains full or joint control with the employee, including, but not limited to, City vehicles, desks, lockers, file cabinets, and bookshelves. Such searches may be conducted when the City has reasonable grounds to conclude that there has been a violation of this section.
The employee shall be given notice prior to such a search in such a manner that the employee is provided knowledge of the intended search, but not the opportunity to remove items and materials present in the area to be searched. The employee may be present during the search, but the employee’s presence is not required for the search to occur. If the employee wishes to be present during the search, the employee cannot be denied the opportunity to be present, provided, however, that the City will determine the time of the search with or without the employee’s concurrence.
c.If a department head has reason to suspect that an employee is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance while in the workplace or subject to duty, the employee may be required to submit to a drug and alcohol analysis provided at the City’s expense.
d. Exceptions to this Policy.
1.Prescription drugs used in compliance with a doctor’s instructions.
2.Performance of normal job duties and responsibilities requiring limited use of alcohol as directed by assignment or detail shall not result in an employee being in violation of this policy.
3.During special, infrequent occasions, consumption of alcoholic beverages may be allowed on City property, while an employee is on duty for the City, or while using City equipment, but only upon specific prior authorization from the City Manager.
4.An employee who resides on City-owned property is excepted from provisions of this policy for off-duty circumstances that would be considered appropriate or legal if the employee’s residence were on private property.