STATEMENT ON DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE

Introduction

As all employees should be aware, WAYSIDE PROFESSIONALS INC. has a policy against employee alcohol and drug involvement in the work place.  The rule against drug and alcohol use has been in existence for many years and the Company intends that all employees should be aware of the importance of this matter and is publishing this elaboration of the policy and the measures being put into effect to enforce the policy.  In part, the publication of the policy is necessitated by the Federal Drug Free Work Place Act which mandates contractors such as us have a policy in place.

It is important to note at the outset that while employees with drug or alcohol abuse problems may make up only a small fraction of the work force, and the Company regrets any inconvenience or loss.  The Company earnestly solicits the understanding and cooperation of all employees and employee organizations in implementing the policy previously expressed.

Today, the Company functions in an atmosphere which places greater pressure on employers to exercise caution with respect to the character and condition of employees in the work force.  All employees would undoubtedly recognize the necessity of safety in the work place because all employees would sense the responsibility they have to one another.  In addition, all employees should recognize the importance of safety to persons other than fellow employees, who may be present at the work place or come into contact with employees in the course of performance of their jobs outside the work place.  Alcoholic beverages and drug use have an adverse effect on safety and for that reason alone must be removed from the work place.  In addition to safety concerns, the Company has a  responsibility to customers to provide a quality product.  The viability of the Company is dependent upon efficient, quality production, sales and service.  Drugs and alcoholic beverages have an adverse impact on quality and efficiency by reason of their negative effect on attendance and performance.  In addition, drug and alcohol related problems lead to increases in health claims and increases in the expense of health plans.

I. 	 Restatement of the Policy

 With all of the foregoing in mind, the Company restates its rule as follows:

	Possession (including sale, trade or delivery), use, consumption, manufacture, distribution or dispensation, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs on Company property any time is prohibited.  Reporting for work under the influence of illegal drugs (controlled substances), alcoholic beverages or intoxicants of any kind is prohibited.

Prescription drugs shall not be brought on Company premises by any person other than the person for whom the drug is prescribed by a licensed medical practitioners, and shall be used only in the manner, combination and quantity prescribed.

II.	Definitions

	A.  Alcohol or Alcoholic Beverage - means any beverage that may be legally sold and consumed and has an alcoholic content in excess of .5% by volume;

	B.  Drug - means any substance (other than alcohol or food products as in meant, dairy and fruit) capable of altering the mood, perception, pain level, or judgment of the individual  consuming it;

	C.  Prescribed Drug - means any substance prescribed for the individual consuming it by a licensed medical practitioner;

	D.  Illegal Drug - means any drug or controlled substance, the possession, sale, consumption, distribution, dispensation of which is illegal as defined by Federal, State or Local law.

E.	Intoxicants - any substance other than alcohol, drugs or food substances set out above, capable of altering the mood, perception, pain level or judgment of the individual consuming, inhaling or otherwise ingesting it.

III.	Remedies of the Company

	A.  Discipline - As previously stated, the seriousness of a breach of the foregoing rule merits strict discipline.  Accordingly, an employee who breaks the rule will be subjected to discipline in the form of discharge.  In addition, an employee who fails to submit to a test or search demanded in accordance with this policy will be discharged.  Further, an employee who is convicted of any criminal drug statute for a violation occurring in the work place shall be discharged, all of such sanctions to be imposed within thirty days of the Company’s notice of a violation.

          B.  Searches, Blood and Urine Test - In order to insure the safety of the work place and the work force, employees, as a condition of continued employment, will upon request of Company supervisory personnel, based on reasonable cause, be required to submit to a search of any vehicle brought upon or parked on Company premises; submit to a search of any pocket, package, purse, briefcase, tool box, lunch box or container brought upon Company premises, subject to a search of a desk, file cabinet, or other piece of Company equipment or furnishing under the employee’s control.

As a further condition of employment, each employee may be requested by supervisory personnel and based on reasonable cause, to submit to blood and/or urine test for determining use of alcohol or drugs.  Upon an initial positive result, a subsequent test will be conducted to confirm the original test.  Reasonable cause shall be considered to include but not be limited to the following:
		* poor performance
		* work-related accident
		* observation of consumption of alcoholic beverage or drugs
		* reduction in productivity
		* absenteeism
		* tardiness
		* financial problems which come to the attention of the Company
		* repeated health problems including weight loss, mood swings,
		   irritability

It is imperative for all employees to realize that a blood and/or urine test will not be mandatory for the Company to make a determination that a violation of its policy has occurred.  Nonetheless, if an employee is requested to submit to such a test and refuses, the employee will be considered to be insubordinate and subject to the disciplinary remedy of discharge on that ground alone.

In addition to the foregoing concerning existing employees, the Company would state that a person presently using illegal drugs or having a history of alcohol or drug dependency will not be knowingly taken into the Company’s employment, all applicants for employment will be required to take a pre-employment physical examination which shall include urinalysis or a blood test or both and applicants whose examinations indicate the presence of alcohol or drug abuse will not be hired absent proof of rehabilitation.  Further, each potential employee will be required to sign the attached consent in furtherance of this policy.

Employees in sensitive positions shall be subjected to mandatory testing with or without cause.  The extent of and criteria for such testing shall be determined by the Company based on consideration s including the nature of the work being performed by the employee, the efficient use of Company resources and risk to public health, safety, or national security which could result from the failure of the employee to adequately discharge his or her position.

WAYSIDE PROFESSIONALS INC.
NOTIFICATION TO EMPLOYEE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By my signature below, I voluntarily and knowingly agree to the following:

a.	I consent to take any physical or medical examinations, including blood and urine or other tests for alcohol and drugs, requested by the Company in connection with the processing of my application for employment and further agree to take any such physical or medical examinations requested by the Company during my employment if I am offered and accept a job.  I understand that such an examination is needed in order to determine my competence to perform the job or work for which I was hired, or to identify any physical or mental condition bearing on my job performance.  I understand that refusal to submit to any physical or medical examination ordered by the Company is grounds for rejection for employment or for disciplinary action up to and including immediate discharge if employed.  I further understand that any information obtained through such exams may be retained by the Company and is exclusively the Company’s property.  I also understand that the examinations will be performed by medical personnel, clinics or laboratories qualified to do the necessary work and costs for such examinations will be borne by the Company.

b.  	I consent to submit to and cooperate in any questioning, any searches of my assigned vehicle, locker or storage area, or bags or other belongings on or in the Company’s property that the Company in its discretion may request, and I understand that the refusal to submit to or cooperate in these procedures is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including immediate discharge.

c.	I acknowledge I have read, understand and will abide by the above notice, that a copy has been furnished to me, and another copy is made a part of my personnel file.

d.  	I understand that as a condition of employment with the Company I will abide by the terms of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy Statement and I will notify the Company of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the work place, not later than five days after such conviction.

												
						Employee

						Date