Notices
Fitness for Duty Update - Random Drug and Alcohol Testing
Employee and customer safety remains one of the TTC’s most important values. Last week, the TTC Board approved the implementation of random drug and alcohol testing for designated employees beginning March 1, 2017.
From the Human Resources Department
Employee and customer safety remains one of the TTC’s most important values. Last week, the TTC Board approved the implementation of random drug and alcohol testing for designated employees beginning March 1, 2017.
This random testing is a new component of the TTC’s Fitness for Duty Policy that already exists and has been in place since 2010. This policy outlines the expectation that each of us report for work, and remain fit for duty.
This program is being introduced to ensure the safety of you – our employees – our customers and all other road users. All employees in designated positions will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing. Designated positions fall into three categories:
- Safety Sensitive
- Specified Management
- Designated Executive
The program will be managed confidentially by a third party administrator, DriverCheck Inc. This company will randomly select the employees and administer the tests directly at any point during an employee’s shift. On an annual basis, 20 per cent of eligible employees will be selected for random drug and alcohol testing.
The TTC will use the same technology that is used for reasonable cause and post-incident testing under the existing Fitness for Duty program: a breathalyser for alcohol and an oral fluid swab for drugs. While the alcohol test results are available immediately, the oral fluid sample will be analyzed at a certified laboratory offsite.
An employee’s drug or alcohol use during personal time is not relevant unless it creates the potential for impairment during working hours. The testing program is looking for impairment on the job, not what you do on your own time. Results are delivered as a pass or fail based on threshold limits set by the TTC. Employees will be returned to their jobs following a test, unless the alcohol test is positive or there is reasonable cause under the existing policy. The security, privacy and confidentiality of employees’ drug and alcohol information are very important. No specific details about what substances or amounts detected will be provided to the employer unless the employee fails a test. Ultimately, this is about the safety and well-being of our employees and our customers.
The TTC cares about your health, in addition to your safety. Anyone who believes they have a drug or alcohol dependency must avail themselves of a treatment program available through EFAP.
More information will be shared in the coming months and details about the program will be mailed to all employees’ homes in the new year.
If you have any questions, please ask your manager or supervisor.
December 8, 2016