Standards of Conduct

The use of alcohol and other drugs by employees interferes with the productivity of everyone. Therefore, NOVA attempts to eliminate the negative effects of alcohol and other drugs in the workplace by prohibiting certain behaviors:

• Unlawful or unauthorized manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of alcohol or other drugs in the workplace;
• Impairment in the workplace from alcohol or other drugs, except for the use of drugs for legitimate medical purposes;
• Criminal conviction for 1.) Violation of any criminal drug law, based upon conduct occurring either in or outside of the workplace or 2.) Violation of any alcohol beverage control law or law that governs driving while intoxicated, based upon conduct occurring in the workplace; and
• An employee’s failure to report his/her conviction to his/her supervisor for any offense required to be reported by the policy.
• Any employee who commits any violation shall be subject to the full range of disciplinary actions, including discharge, based on appropriate disciplinary policies, such as the Standards of Conduct, Policy 1.60.

The severity of the disciplinary action for violations of this policy shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. Mitigating circumstances are conditions that may reduce the level of the corrective action. Such circumstances that may be considered in determining the appropriate discipline include whether the employee voluntarily admits to, and seeks assistance for, an alcohol or other drug problem.