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Preschool Van Driver taking Pain Killers

HRQHRQ 2,849 Posts
in HR & Employment Law Vote Up0Vote Down
Hi all! Been busy with an office move, planning a managers retreat (will ask for some ideas later), school evaluations, a vacation x:) and am now finding time for the Forum again! Yay! I could learn a lot from those of you who manage to do all that you do and still manage to visit the forum regularly.

My question:

An ee who works directly with children as a Preschool teacher and also transports children to/from area schools using our van mentioned to her supervisor last night that she is taking Vicadin. (pain killer) I do not know why she needs the prescription or if "why" even matters. Generally doctors instruct patients not to drive while on this type of drug, as far as I know.

Seems like it would be appropriate for the supervisor to ask this employee for a doctor's note indicating that she is or is not able to perform the functions of her job, including driving a vehicle.

Do you agree? Suggestions on wording? For some reason the words just aren't flowing from my little brain like they normally do. Maybe I need another vacation...


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Comments

  • 10 Comments sorted by Votes Date Added
  • ParabeagleParabeagle 3,085 Posts
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    I think you should ask for a fitness for duty, or at the very least a note from the physician outlining specifically whether or not she can drive while taking the drug (I'd also make sure s/he is aware that the patient is transporting children in a van).

    Management retreat, huh? Let me steal some of your ideas for the one we're hosting October 19-22, ok? x:-)
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  • Don DDon D 9,834 Posts
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    If I were you I would call my pharmacist immediately and ask what general printed warning comes with that prescription. He will read it to you. If it indicates 'no driving' I would immediately remove her from that assignment. Then I would proceed with getting information as to her fitness for duty. But, I WOULD NOT wait for anything from her doctor to remove her from the van assignment. It may become one of the dreaded "Knew or should have known" scenarios for your company.
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  • TN HRTN HR 1,170 Posts
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    Vicodin is a fairly potent (and highly addictive) painkiller which contains acetaminophen and hydrocodone (synthetic form of codeine). I had an EE addicted to it back in the mid 90's and she ended-up in rehab partly to help with the withdrawals of it which can be fairly difficult.

    The FDA warning states: "Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Hydrocodone may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities".

    In my opinion, I would not wait for the EE to feel dizzy or drowsy while traveling at 55 mph in a van full of kids. In an abundance of caution, I would ask for medical personnel to provide a fitness for duty and restrict her work activities until she is off the medication. This is not a long-term, maintenance type of drug that she would remain on for extended periods of time. It is usually given for short durations, post-op, or to be taken on as-needed basis for chronic pain due to injuries, etc.

    Good luck.
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  • Don DDon D 9,834 Posts
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    Thanks Dr. Gene. Oh, is a sample right for me?
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  • TN HRTN HR 1,170 Posts
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    Substance abuse joke's on me now.......Just had an interesting call from our IT guy (yes, we only have one). He wanted to know if I had solicited information for prescription medication via email......It seems the spam filter caught an email addressed to me for potential discounts on poular drugs such as Viagra, Cialis, Propecia and Zoloft.....Well, I told him I had not requested such information from anyone and would hate to meet the poor guy who has to take all of those.
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  • Don DDon D 9,834 Posts
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    Jokes aside, if I got that call from the IT guy, I would tell him to kiss my ass and do something productive. These characters are the new Hitlers.
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  • HRQHRQ 2,849 Posts
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    You guys are awesome. I just emailed the thread to the supervisor with instructions to pull the ee from driving duties until we get dr's note releasing the ee to operate a vehicle. Will call her to follow up.

    I guess I just needed to hear it from you!
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  • WhateverWhatever 1,945 Posts
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    try [url]http://www.explainingmedicine.com[/url]

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  • HRQHRQ 2,849 Posts
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    "Vicodin may make you drowsy, less alert, or unable to function well physically. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or perform any other potentially dangerous activities until you know how this drug affects you."

    Thanks, Whatever. x:)


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  • Half HRHalf HR 47 Posts
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    Do you have a Drug Free Workplace policy? Ours includes a requirement that safety-sensitive employees need to inform their supervisors about prescription drugs. I agree that you should perform a fitness for duty test.

    Also, if you're receiving any federal DOT or FTA money for the vans, you may be required to have an FTA testing program, which includes random tests.

    Half HR
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