As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
As used in this chapter, a controlled substance in Schedules
I through V of Section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.
§ 812), and as further defined in regulation at 21 CFR 1300.11
through 1300.15.
CONVICTION
A finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere)
or imposition of sentence, or both, by any judicial body charged with
the responsibility to determine violations of the federal or state
criminal drug statutes.
CRIMINAL DRUG STATUTE
A federal or nonfederal criminal statute involving the manufacture,
distribution, dispensing, use or possession of any controlled substance.
ILLEGAL DRUG
Any drug which is not legally obtainable, or which is legally
obtainable but has not been legally obtained. The term includes prescribed
drugs not legally obtained and not being used for prescribed purposes.
LEGAL DRUG
Includes prescribed drugs and over-the-counter drugs which
have been legally obtained and are being used for the purpose for
which they were prescribed or manufactured.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
For the purpose of this chapter, means that the employee
is noticeably affected by a drug.
WORKPLACE
Includes nonmunicipally owned property which is used in the
conduct of municipal business, including property used temporarily
for business-related purposes, such as lodging sites rented for seminars,
training, or other municipal activities.
The following conditions shall be applicable to all employees
of the Village of Fort Plain, New York:
A. Employees shall be required, as a condition of their employment,
to abide by the terms and conditions of this Drug-Free Workplace chapter.
B. An employee shall notify his Supervisor/Manager of any criminal drug
statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace no later
than five days after such conviction. Failure to do so will result
in discipline, up to and including dismissal.
C. If a convicted employee works in a federally funded program, the
involved federal grant agency shall be notified of the conviction
within 10 days of the municipality's receiving the notice of
the conviction.
D. An employee convicted under any criminal drug statute for a violation
occurring in the workplace, while on or off duty, or on duty away
from the workplace, shall be immediately dismissed for the first offense.
E. In the absence of compelling mitigating circumstances, an employee
convicted under any criminal drug statute for a violation not occurring
in the workplace while not on duty shall be subject to immediate dismissal
for the first offense if convicted of a felony. If the conviction
is not a felony, discipline up to and including dismissal may be imposed,
including for the first offense, provided that there is a nexus between
the offense and the job of the employee.
F. Appropriate disciplinary and/or corrective action is to be taken
within 30 days after the employer receives notice of a conviction,
up to and including termination and/or requiring such employee to
participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation
program approved for such purposes by a federal, state or local health,
law enforcement, or appropriate agency. This, however, is not to be
construed to limit the authority of the employer to take such action
thereafter. Any disciplinary action must comply with the collective
bargaining agreement, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1978,
and the Americans with Disabilities Act, if applicable.
G. An employee not convicted under any criminal drug statute, but who
engages in the illegal manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession
or use of controlled substances in any municipal workplace while on
or off duty, or on duty away from the workplace, shall be subject
to discipline up to and including dismissal for the first occurrence.
An employee engaging in such actions while off duty and away from
the workplace may be subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal,
including for the first offense, provided there is a nexus to the
employee's job and just cause for the discipline.
H. Any employee on municipal premises who appears to be under the influence
of, or who possesses illegal or nonmedically authorized drugs, or
who has used such drugs on municipal premises, may be temporarily
relieved from duty pending further investigation.
I. If the use of legal drugs endangers safety, management may (but is
not required to) reassign work on a temporary or permanent basis.
J. Employees must observe other work rules established by their employing
departments regarding the use, possession or presence of drugs involving
their employment.
K. Each employee of the municipality will make a good-faith effort to
maintain a drug-free workplace and uphold and promote this chapter.
The Village of Fort Plain establishes in furtherance of this
chapter a drug-free awareness program to inform employees about:
A. The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace;
B. The Village of Fort Plain's policy of maintaining a drug-free
workplace;
C. Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance
programs; and
D. The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations
occurring in the workplace.