Cypress : Employee Drug-Testing Program OKd by City
The City Council has approved plans to begin a voluntary employee drug-testing program.
Applicants for city jobs requiring the use of dangerous equipment and employees suspected of drug use will be asked to submit to testing, said Mayor Otto Lacayo, who drafted the resolution.
Applicants who refuse to undergo testing will have a chance to explain their refusal in an interview and will not necessarily be denied employment. Employee records will reflect any denial to refuse tests. Employees whose tests are positive will be asked to seek rehabilitation.
“We are being very careful not to violate workers’ privacy rights,” Lacayo said Wednesday.
Rewards for tips leading to the conviction of drug sellers also is included in the plan. Details of the anti-drug campaign will be formulated by the city staff, Lacayo said.
Council members rejected a proposal by Councilman Cornelius Coronado Jr. to include elected officials and management employees in the testing program.
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