Drinks, Drugs and Drags: Alcohol, Marijuana, and E cigarette Emerging Issues Presented by Frederick G. Gus Sandstrom, Blank Rome LLP h l k Rome LLP Anthony A. Mingione, Blank Richard W. Diaz, Blank Rome LLP Sean V. V Burke, Burke University of Pennsylvania #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
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Up in Smoke? Recent tdevelopments in E cigarette and Marijuana Laws 119 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
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E cigarettes: What are they? Battery powered devices that are designed to mimic cigarettes by vaporizing nicotine laced liquid that is inhaled by the user 121 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
E cigarettes: Current and Proposed Laws FDA proposed p regulations: no sale to minors; no vending machine sales; no free samples; required health warnings State laws restricting e cig use: in 100% smoke free venues: 3 in other venues: 10 Local laws restricting e cig use in 100% smoke free venues: 172 122 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
E cigarettes: In the Workplace Workplace bans are on the rise Wal Mart, Target, Starbucks, Home Depot, GE Most lump e cigarettes in with tobacco rather than drug policies 123 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
E cigarettes: In the Workplace Considerations Benefits: no smoke breaks; higher productivity; employee morale; may help reduce employee tobacco use overall Costs: secondhand smoke concerns; limited research; potentially just as harmful as tobacco to co workers, customers and others that come in contact with the vapors; makes co workers and customers uncomfortable Ensure consistency with other policies (cigarettes and other nicotine products) 124 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
Marijuana 125 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
126 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
Marijuana: State Laws 127 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
Marijuana: Proposed Bills/Initiatives 128 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
Marijuana: State Laws State laws authorize individuals who suffer from a debilitating medical condition to use marijuana upon receipt of a registry identification card Majority of state laws do not prohibit employment discrimination based on marijuana use nor require employers to allow marijuana use in their policies 129 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
Marijuana: State Law Exceptions AZ and DE law include a specific employment based anti discrimination section that protects medical marijuana cardholders Employers are prohibited from taking adverse actions based on an employee s or applicant s status as a cardholder, or a qualifying i patient s t positive drug test, t unless the qualifying patient used, possessed or was impaired by marijuana while at work or during work hours Laws do not define impaired 130 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
Marijuana: Employer Policies Private employers have the right to set their own policies (AZ/DE exception) Employers can enforce their drug policies regardless of state or local laws permitting the medical and/or recreational use of marijuana Outstanding issues: Can employees terminated pursuant to an employers policy banning marijuana use claim unemployment compensation? ADA implications? 131 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
Drowning in Gin? Alcohol and the Workplace 132 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
Common Pitfalls Holiday party Alcohol Best practices to reduce exposure Work khappy hours On duty or off duty? Applicability of policies Worker s compensation Liability for improper/illegal conduct Recovery ADA implications during and following 133 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
How to Handle Employee Drug and Alcohol Use 134 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
Drug and Alcohol Policy Have a clear drug and alcohol policy Lay out expectations: Covered substances; Test for each substance? Prescription, OTC drugs? Impairment; Work and non work use; Possession; Testing; and Discipline. Ensure policies are applied consistently and in a nondiscriminatory manner 135 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
Testing Pre employment Post employment Reasonable suspicion Safety sensitive position Accidents Screening for prescription drugs Re testing 136 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
Discipline Issues to consider: Flexibility vs. no tolerance Rehab/assistance programs Refusal to test 137 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP
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Questions? 139 #LaborLawTrends; @BlankRomeLLP