Silver Home Care is committed to ensuring client safety, dignity, and trust by requiring all employees to remain fit for duty at all times. Because caregivers work in clients' homes and assist with personal needs, any level of impairment can create safety risks and negatively impact care quality.

This policy establishes clear expectations for workplace readiness and outlines how the agency will respond when impairment is suspected.

This policy applies to all work-related activities, including:

• Providing in-home care
• Driving or accompanying a client in the community
• Performing administrative or community-based duties on behalf of the agency

This is a safety-sensitive position. Employees are expected to maintain a level of readiness and professionalism at all times that reflects the responsibility of caring for others.

Employees must report to work fully fit for duty—alert, capable, and able to safely perform all assigned tasks.

Employees may not:

• Report to work or remain on duty while impaired by alcohol, drugs, medications, or any substance that could affect safe and effective job performance
• Use, possess, distribute, or sell controlled substances during work hours or while representing the agency

Any substance—whether illegal, legal, prescribed, or over-the-counter—that affects alertness, coordination, judgment, or the ability to safely perform job duties is prohibited while working.

Employees are responsible for ensuring that no substance use—regardless of when it occurs—results in any level of impairment or reduced performance while working.

Impairment will be determined based on observable signs and behaviors, including but not limited to:

• Slurred speech
• Unsteady movement
• Confusion or poor judgment
• Inability to follow instructions
• Unsafe actions or reduced awareness

Some medications are incompatible with safe caregiving duties.

Employees must not work if they are taking any medication that:

• Causes drowsiness, slowed reaction time, or impaired coordination
• Affects judgment or alertness
• Has warnings against operating machinery, driving, or performing safety-sensitive tasks

Having a valid prescription does not permit working while impaired.

If impairment is suspected:

• A supervisor will assess the situation based on observed behavior and available information
• The employee may be immediately removed from client care duties
• The situation will be documented

Further action may include:

• Drug or alcohol testing, when permitted by law and company policy
• Reassignment or suspension pending review

Reports of impairment will be handled promptly and discreetly. Good-faith reports of safety concerns will not result in retaliation.

Employees responsible for transporting clients must be fully alert and capable of safely operating a vehicle at all times.

If impairment is suspected, the employee will not be permitted to drive. Safe transportation arrangements will be made as appropriate.

Violations of this policy may result in:

• Immediate removal from duty
• Formal disciplinary action
• Termination of employment

Disciplinary decisions will be based on the severity of the situation and risk to client safety.

This policy will be reviewed at least annually or sooner if required due to changes in regulations, contracts, or agency procedures.

I understand and agree to the following: