Drug and Alcohol Use Procedure: Employees (Draft)

Purpose:

This procedure provides details on the Winona State University (WSU) Drug and Alcohol Use Policy as it applies to WSU employees.

Rationale for Revision and Major Changes:

(This is for stakeholder review, not for publishing.)

This procedure draft is a proposed update for a legacy regulation:

• WSU 8-4 Drug and Alcohol Use Policy Regulation

This procedure only applies to employees, and it designates the Director of Human Resources as the responsible officer. Previously, there was no procedure that applied specifically to employees, so this is a new procedure document.

Suggested Stakeholder feedback deadline:

Feedback should be provided using this WSU form by ??/??/20??.

Procedure:

A. Applicability

The WSU Drug and Alcohol Use Policy applies to all WSU employees. To protect the health and safety of employees and to ensure that employees perform their duties safely and efficiently in a workplace free from drugs and alcohol, the following additional prohibitions apply:

• WSU employees must not use drugs or alcohol on WSU grounds, while operating a university vehicle, or while performing work for the state in another location.
• WSU employees must not perform work for WSU while impaired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

B. Sanctions

Employees who violate the Drug and Alcohol Use Policy are subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment. WSU Human Resources Office manages discipline for employees according to the employee’s bargaining unit agreement.

C. Expectations

If use of a prescribed or over the counter medication taken by an employee could compromise the safety of the employee, fellow employees, or the public, it is the employee’s responsibility to use appropriate personnel procedures (e.g. request sick leave) to avoid unsafe workplace practices.

D. Exceptions

In addition to the exceptions noted in the Drug and Alcohol Policy 8-4, the following are exceptions to the prohibitions listed above:

• Consumption, possession, sale, or purchase of alcohol when authorized by a commissioner under separate statutory or executive agency authority.
• Possession of alcohol in a state or personal vehicle when in compliance with state and federal laws.
• Possession of alcohol while in an employee’s personal vehicle on the state’s premises in compliance with any applicable state or federal law.

E. Resources

WSU refers employees experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol to the Employee Assistance Program.

Related Documents:

• Minnesota State Policy 5.18 (Alcoholic Beverages or Controlled Substances on Campus)

• MMB Policy #1418 (Prohibition of Drug and Alcohol Use by State Employees)

• Minnesota Statute 152.02 (Schedules of Controlled Substances)

Related definitions:

[8-4] Alcohol:

Any intoxicating beverage or liquor containing alcohol.

[8-4] Drug:

Any substance listed in Minnesota Statute 152.02, including all forms of marijuana.

[8-4] Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

Work/Life services available to employees of the State of Minnesota offered twenty-four hours a day to help with a variety of needs.

Authorizing Policy:

• 8-4 Drug and Alcohol Use Policy (Draft)

History:

Date of Revisions: 12/12/2007

Adoption date: 08/18/1988
Implementation date: 01/01/2099