[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Bergenfield
7-16-1996 by Ord. No. 2199. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Borough of Bergenfield hereby adopts a formal policy on drug and
alcohol abuse which shall be distributed to every employee of the Borough
of Bergenfield and which shall be strictly enforced.
The Borough of Bergenfield (the "Borough") has a strong commitment to
the health, safety and welfare of its employees and their families. Widely
available statistics and information establish that the incidence of drug
and alcohol abuse is increasing and that the effect is devastating to lives,
business and the community at large. The Borough of Bergenfield is concerned
that because of the potential for abuse among some of our employees, the safety
of our employees, and the general public could be endangered. Our commitment
to maintaining a safe and secure workplace requires a clear policy and supportive
programs relating to the detection, treatment, and prevention of substance
abuse by employees.
It is the goal of the Borough of Bergenfield to provide a safe workplace
by eliminating the hazards to health and job safety created by alcohol and
other drug abuse. We believe this goal to be in the best interest of our employees,
our customers and our stockholders.
A.
This policy applies to all employees of the Borough while
on the job and to situations where an employee's off-the-job or off-premises
conduct impairs work performance or undermines public confidence in or harms
the reputation of the Borough of Bergenfield. It is also intended to apply
to employees of firms doing business with the Borough while on our premises.
B.
Although the Borough has no intention of intruding into
the private lives of its employees, we recognize that involvement with alcohol
and other drugs off the job eventually takes it toll on job performance. Our
concern is to ensure that employees report to work in a condition to perform
their duties safely and efficiently in the interest of their fellow workers
and themselves.
A.
The Borough will not tolerate or condone substance abuse.
It is the policy of the Borough of Bergenfield to maintain a workplace free
from alcohol and other drug abuse and its effects.
B.
It is the policy of the Borough of Bergenfield that employees
who engage in the sale, use, possession, or transfer of illegal drugs or controlled
substances, or who offer to buy or sell such substances; the use of alcohol
during working hours; or the abuse of prescribed drugs will be subject to
disciplinary action up to and including termination.
C.
It is the policy of the Borough of Bergenfield to commit
the resources necessary to achieve and maintain a drug-free and alcohol-free
environment.
D.
The Borough of Bergenfield expects the full support of
this policy by all employees and all persons doing business with the Borough.
A.
To provide a safe, drug-free and alcohol-free working
environment, the Borough will:
(1)
Establish definitive rules and regulations.
(2)
Provide increased awareness through training, education,
and communication on the subject of alcohol and other drug abuse.
(3)
Recognize that there may be employees who have an alcohol
or other drug problem and stand willing to assist in the resolution of that
problem by encouraging employees to seek help through employee assistance
programs.
B.
In addition, the Borough will take any or all of the
following actions:
(1)
Conduct alcohol and other drug screen tests, both prospective
to and during employment.
(2)
Inspect persons and their property in our employ or doing
business with the Borough.
(3)
Cooperate with outside law enforcement agencies.
(4)
Take any other actions deemed necessary and appropriate
by the Borough.
As a responsible employer and member of the community, the Borough will:
A.
Create an awareness in employees and their families of
the impact of substance abuse.
B.
Administer programs that consider employee rights, are
positive in their intent, and are within legal boundaries.
C.
Support the establishment of programs to assist employees
with alcohol and other drug abuse or dependency problems.
D.
Utilize all channels and resources available to it to
educate and increase the awareness of employees and of the general public.
E.
Support local and national efforts to combat alcohol
and other drug abuse and its effects.
The Borough of Bergenfield believes that each employee has the responsibility
to:
Each division, subsidiary, or affiliate of the Borough of Bergenfield
will be responsible for establishing and implementing detailed policy and
procedures, specific to its needs, in support of this policy. Each of these
policies is subject to central review for consistency with the Borough's policy.
Responsibility for interpretation of the Borough's policy falls to the Borough's
Human Resources Department.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Borough of Bergenfield DOT Alcohol and Drug Testing
Policy is on file in the office of the Municipal Clerk.
