Legal Documents of Dandridge

The Town of Dandridge has established the following policy, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, § 50-0-100 et. seq.:

1. It is a violation of town policy for any employee to use, possess, sell, trade, offer for sale, or offer to buy illegal drugs or otherwise engage in the illegal use of drugs on or off the job.
2. It is a violation of town policy for any employee to report to work under the influence of or while possessing in his or her body, blood or urine, illegal drugs in any detectable amount.
3. It is a violation of town policy for any employee to report to work under the influence of or impaired by alcohol.
4. It is a violation of the town policy for any employee to use prescription drugs illegally, i.e., to use prescription drugs that have not been legally obtained or in a manner or for a purpose other than as prescribed. However, nothing in this policy precludes the appropriate use of legally prescribed medications.

5. Violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

   It is the responsibility of the town's supervisors to counsel employees whenever they see changes in performance or behavior that suggest an employee has a drug problem. Although it is not the supervisor's job to diagnose personal problems, the supervisor should encourage such employees to seek help and advise them about viable resources for getting help. Everyone shares responsibility for maintaining a safe work environment, and co-workers should encourage anyone who has a drug problem to seek help.

   The goal of this policy is to balance our respect for individuals with the need to maintain a safe, productive and drug-free environment. The intent of this policy is to offer a helping hand to those who need it, while sending a clear message that the illegal use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol are incompatible with employment at the Town of Dandridge.

   As a condition of employment, employees must abide by the terms of this policy and must notify the town in writing of any conviction of a violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) calendar days after such conviction.

   The town offers resource information on various means of employee assistance in our community, including but not limited to drug and alcohol abuse programs. Employees are encouraged to use this resource file; which is located at town hall with the HR clerk. In addition, we will distribute this information to employees for their confidential use. (Ord. #17/18-03, Jan. 2018)