Content Information
Employees who conduct state business under the influence of alcohol or an unauthorized controlled substance (herein “controlled substance”) present a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of their own persons, their fellow employees, and the public at large. The State of Iowa is committed to ensuring its employees remain free from the effects of alcohol or controlled substances while conducting state business. Therefore, employees are prohibited from:
- possessing, consuming, purchasing/selling, or manufacturing alcoholic beverages or controlled substances, while they are conducting state business or are on state property;
- reporting to work for the State of Iowa under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or a controlled substance;
- the unauthorized use or abuse of a prescription medication while they are conducting state business or are on state property; and/or
- driving a state vehicle or a personal vehicle when the employee is engaged in state business, within an eight (8) hour period after consuming an alcoholic beverage, using a controlled substance, or engaging in the unauthorized use/abuse of a prescription medicine.
Absent mitigating circumstances, an employee’s involvement in one or more of the prohibited acts listed above may result in summary discharge. “Summary discharge” shall mean a discharge from employment with the State of Iowa after the state substantiates the alleged offense through a fair and thorough investigation. It is unnecessary for the State of Iowa to implement other forms of discipline (e.g., verbal warnings, reprimands, or suspensions) before issuing a summary discharge.