Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Workplace

Applicability: All Employees and Students

The University of Hawaiʻi recognizes dependency on alcohol and other drugs as a treatable condition and as a complex problem that is not easily resolved by personal effort. It has established a substance abuse awareness program for the purpose of informing employees about the dangers of substance abuse as well as the penalties that may be imposed for substance abuse violations and available counseling, treatment, assistance, and rehabilitation programs. Employees, including student employees, are encouraged to seek assistance, as appropriate, from available support programs.

The University strives to maintain campus communities and worksites free from the illegal use, possession, or distribution of alcohol or controlled substances. Unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use, or sale of alcohol or controlled substances by University employees and students in the workplace, on University premises used for education, research, or recreational programs, at official University functions, or on University business is prohibited. The University also will not excuse misconduct by employees and students whose judgement is impaired due to substance abuse.

Employees found to be in violation of University substance abuse policies, including student employees if the circumstances warrant, may be subject to corrective action, up to and including dismissal, under applicable University policies and collective bargaining unit agreements, and/or may be required to participate satisfactorily in a drug and/or alcohol counseling, treatment, assistance, or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a federal, state, or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency. Students found to be in violation of University substance abuse policies may be subject to corrective action up to and including expulsion or rescission of grades or degree as designated in the University of Hawaiʻi Student Conduct Code.

Special requirements for employees engaged on federal contracts and grants:

The Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-690, Title V, Subtitle D) requires that University employees directly engaged in the performance of work on a federal contract or grant shall abide by this policy as a condition of employment.

Employees working on federal contracts or grants shall notify the University within five calendar days if they are convicted of any criminal drug statute violation occurring in the workplace or while on University business. This requirement also applies to all indirect charge employees who perform support or overhead functions related to the federal contract or grant and for which the federal government pays its share of expenses, unless the employee’s impact or involvement is insignificant to the performance of the contract or grant. The University is required to notify the appropriate federal contracting or granting agency within ten calendar days of receiving notice of such conviction and to take appropriate corrective action and/or to require the employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug and/or alcohol counseling, treatment, assistance, or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a federal, state, or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency within thirty calendar days of having received notice of such conviction.

Copies of the full text of the University of Hawaiʻi Student Conduct Code is found under Executive Policy 7.208.

Other Resources

Official Notice to Employees and Students Regarding Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policies
Federal Law – Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988
Federal Law – Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act