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Town of Ghent, NY
Columbia County
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Code
New Laws (1) Index
[Adopted 3-21-1996]
It is the policy of the Town of Ghent that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance is prohibited on the job or at the workplace. Employees may be subject to civil, criminal and disciplinary penalties, including dismissal from employment, for failure to observe this policy. (All terms in this policy shall have the meaning and definition as set forth in the Drug-Free Workplace Act.)
A. 
Dangers of drug abuse in the workplace. Employees with chemical dependence problems have a major impact on productivity, staff morale and labor/management relations. Their hidden illness is responsible for:
(1) 
Declining performance.
(a) 
Poor concentration.
(b) 
Confusion in following directions.
(c) 
Noticeable change in the quality of work.
(d) 
Inability to meet deadlines.
(e) 
Errors in judgment affecting the health and safety of others.
(2) 
Increased costs.
(a) 
Five times the average sick and accident benefits.
(b) 
Higher job turnover, replacement and training costs.
(c) 
Greater workers' compensation and health insurance payments.
(d) 
Three to five times more on-the-job accidents.
(e) 
Unemployment claims.
(3) 
Absenteeism and tardiness.
(a) 
Double the normal rate.
(b) 
Repeatedly being late for work and often leaving early.
(c) 
Extended lunch hours.
(d) 
Frequent illness and accidents both on and off the job.
(4) 
Damaged relationships.
(a) 
Emotional outbursts, overreaction to criticism, mood swings, complaints from coworkers, associates and the public often leading to damaged relations.
B. 
Town of Ghent policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace. It is the stated policy of the Town of Ghent to maintain a drug-free workplace as required by the Drug-Free Workplace Act by prohibiting the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance in the workplace of the Town of Ghent.
C. 
Availability of drug counseling and rehabilitation. Attached hereto is a list of available drug counseling and rehabilitation programs which may be of some benefit to any employee who may have a drug or alcohol problem.
D. 
Sanctions. Employees who violate the Town's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace will be subject to criminal, civil and disciplinary penalties, including dismissal from employment.
All employees of the Town of Ghent, including those engaged in the performance of federal or state grants, shall be given a copy of the Town's policy.
All employees are hereby notified that as a condition of employment, employees are required to:
A. 
Abide by the terms of this new policy.
B. 
Notify the Town Supervisor or Town Clerk of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than five days after the employee's conviction.
The Town must notify any federal or state granting agency within 10 days after receiving notice from an employee of such a conviction or otherwise receiving actual notice of such conviction. Within 30 days after receiving notice of such an employee's conviction, the Town shall either:
A. 
Take appropriate personnel action against such employee up to and including termination from employment; or
B. 
Require such employee to satisfactorily participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a federal, state or local health, law enforcement or other appropriate agency.
C. 
Nothing set forth in this policy shall abrogate, modify or diminish such rights that the Town of Ghent has in connection with the existing union contract with Local Union No. 294, Affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters AFL-CIO.
The Town shall make a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through the implementation of the requirements contained in the Drug-Free Workplace Act. If there are any questions regarding this policy, please contact the Town Supervisor or the Town Clerk.
Organizations that can Provide Help/Referral
Catholic Family and Community Services
Within Reach Drug Program
431 East Allen Street
Hudson, New York 12534
(518) 828-8660
Columbia County Alcohol Resource Center
315 Warren Street
Hudson, New York 12534
(518) 828-9300
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
Monday through Friday
1-800-729-6686
The National Federation of Parents for Drug-Free Youth
Monday through Friday
1-800-554-KIDS
National Council on Alcoholism
7 days a week, 24 hours a day
1-914-225-4646
Parents' Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE)
Monday through Friday
1-800-241-9746
Cocaine Helpline
Monday through Friday
Saturday and Sunday, 12:00p.m. - 3:00a.m.
1-800-COCAINE
Partners In Safety
(914)-341-0515