Employee Health and Safety Policy: Difference between revisions

Including Drug Free Workplace; Smoking and Other Use of Tobacco; and AIDS, HIV, and Other Bloodborne Pathogens

   

=== Basis of the Policy ===

   

The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Employee Health and Safety Policy addresses three areas:  drug-free workplace; smoking and other use of tobacco; and AIDS, HIV, and other bloodborne pathogens.

   

University of Nebraska Employee Policies and Practices

=== Drug-Free Workplace ===

UNMC prohibits employees from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of alcohol and/or a controlled substance on UNMC property.  The term “substance” refers to drug or chemical compounds that are controlled by local, state, or federal law. UNMC complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, as amended.

Statement of Understanding

=== UNMC Position on Chemical Dependency ===

UNMC supports the position that chemical dependency is a disease that can endanger the health and well being of students, employees, and faculty and can have a negative effect on the public they serve.  UNMC advocates treatment and rehabilitation for affected students, employees, and faculty in a manner that first protects the public, while allowing a reasonable opportunity for recovery and re-entry into the workplace/classroom.  Chemical dependency is recognized as a disease, and employee relations issues will be administered from this philosophy and in accordance with all legal requirements of state and federal law.  

UNMC has established a Faculty/Employee Assistance Program (F/EAP).  

    

=== Requirements of Employees for the Drug-free Workplace ===

Compliance with this policy is a term and condition of employment.

Under the compliance provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, UNMC shall notify the appropriate federal agency within ten (10) days of receiving notice of a criminal conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace for employees who are paid under federally-funded grants.

=== Employment Actions as Part of the Drug-free Workplace ===

UNMC employees will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Performance Management Procedures.

Random blood and/or urine drug screens

UNMC employees are expected to meet performance standards and comply with UNMC policies and procedures; and supervisors and managers should administer disciplinary action, up to and including termination, according to the Performance Management Procedures.

=== Smoking and Other Use of Tobacco ===

Smoking and other use of tobacco by any person is not permitted on the UNMC campus or in University owned vehicles except in specifically designated smoking shelters located outside of the campus buildings, away from operable windows, doors and air intakes.

=== AIDS, HIV, and Other Bloodborne Pathogens ===

See UNMC Policy No. 2004, Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure.  UNMC employees are expected to care for HIV and other bloodborne pathogen-infected patients on the same basis as other patients.  Employees may not refuse to care for a patient solely because the patient has AIDS, HIV infection, or other bloodborne pathogens.  If, after education and counseling, an employee refuses to participate in the care of a patient with AIDS, HIV, or other bloodborne pathogens, appropriate employment actions, under UNMC Policy No. 1098, Corrective and Disciplinary Action will be instituted.