Policy and Program Purposes Clause Samples

Policy and Program Purposes. Pace performs a vital service for the public. To ensure that this service is delivered safely and effectively, each Pace employee has the responsibility to perform his/her duties in a safe, conscientious, and courteous manner. The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines to maintain a drug and alcohol-free workplace and to reduce the probability of accidents or incidents related to the use and/or misuse of alcohol and other drugs by employees so that transit services are delivered safely, efficiently, and effectively. This policy outlines four principles as a means to achieve Pace’s goal of providing a workplace free from the effects of drug and alcohol use and/or misuse for its employees. The first principle emphasizes deterrence from the use of drugs and alcohol in or affecting the workplace. Pace will make education and training available for all employees regarding the effects of substance abuse on individuals and on the workplace. Supervisors and managers will receive specialized training in detection, early intervention, and enforcement. The second principle is treatment and rehabilitation. Pace maintains an Employee Assistance Program (“EAP”) to assist employees with personal problems, including those surrounding the misuse of drugs and alcohol. Pace supports rehabilitation before an employee’s job is in jeopardy. Although employees are encouraged to receive help for drug and alcohol problems, participation in Pace’s EAP will not excuse an employee’s failure to comply with Pace rules and regulations; nor will it preclude discipline for rule or policy violations. The third principle is detection. Toward this end, Pace employs six (6) FTA mandated drug and/or alcohol tests in the following circumstances: pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, random, return to duty, and follow-up. The foregoing drug and/or alcohol tests will apply to all full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary employees of Pace engaged in the performance of safety-sensitive functions. It also applies to: applicants for positions of employment involving the performance of safety- sensitive functions for Pace and operators who are third party contractors. The fourth principle is enforcement, which is essential if deterrence, rehabilitation, and detection are to be successful. All employees must be fit for duty as defined within this policy. Accordingly, the failure to properly report the dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance or narcotic con...