Drugs & Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy
The University is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy and productive workplace for all its employees. The University strictly prohibits the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, sale or use of any illegal drug, or the abuse of alcohol or any legal drug by employees. An employee on the job while under the influence of any drug or alcohol may pose a serious health and safety risk to himself or herself and to others, and may also interfere with productive and efficient school operations.
Therefore, employees are required to report to work free from the influence of any drug or alcohol. In addition, the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, sale, or use of any illegal drug or alcohol, or the misuse of any legal drug in the workplace, in University vehicles or while engaged in University business off University premises is strictly prohibited. Any employee violating this policy is subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. In addition, and depending on the circumstances, other action, including notification to appropriate law enforcement agencies, may be taken with respect to any employee violating this policy.
The federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires that any employee who pleads guilty to or is convicted of any drug-related violation in the workplace or while conducting University business off premises must so inform Human Resources within five (5) days. Any employee who fails to report any such conviction or plea is subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.
Applicants for employment may be required, as a condition of employment, to submit to an appropriate drug and alcohol test. In addition, the University reserves the right to require employees to undergo appropriate medical tests designed to detect the use of drugs and alcohol where, in the university’s view, it has reason to believe that an employee may be under the influence of a drug or alcohol, or otherwise fails to cooperate fully with any investigation relating to this policy, including any refusal to submit to drug or alcohol testing, is subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.
At its discretion, the University may require employees who violate this policy to complete successfully a drug or alcohol abuse assistance program as a condition of continued employment.
It is the responsibility of each employee to seek assistance before any drug or alcohol problem leads to disciplinary action. Enrollment in or use of a drug assistance program after an employee is found to have violated this policy will not necessarily lessen disciplinary action already imposed or otherwise impact the university’s determination as to appropriate disciplinary action.
Below is the contact information for drug and alcohol counseling and support services centers.
- The New School Employee Assistance Program (212) 935-3030
- Alcohol Abuse Advisory and Consultation Center (212) 971-9213
- Alcohol Council of Greater New York (212) 979-6277
- Alcoholic’s Anonymous (212) 683-3900
- National Council on Alcoholism (212) 206-6770
- St. Vincent's Alcohol Outpatient Clinic (212) 790-8273
- Beth Israel Hospital Substance Abuse Information Center (212) 420-2012
- Alanon (support group for friends and relatives of alcoholics) (212) 260-0407
- Narcotics Anonymous (212) 601-5817
- Cocaine Hotlines (800) 662-HELP(800) COCAINE