Notice of Development of Rulemaking

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
33-208.003: Range of Disciplinary Actions
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect of the proposed rule is to amend the rule to include the offense of not reporting for duty when instructed to do so in time of emergency or potential emergency and impose a range of penalties to include written reprimand, up to 30 days of suspension or dismissal.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Employee disciplinary actions.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 944.09 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 944.09, 944.14, 944.34, 944.35, 944.36, 944.37, 944.38, 944.39, 944.47 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Dorothy M. Ridgway, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2500

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

33-208.003 Range of Disciplinary Actions.

Violations of the foregoing Rules of Conduct as well as other departmental, and institutional policies will result in disciplinary actions, which may be by oral reprimand, written reprimand, reassignment, transfer in excess of 50 miles, suspension, reduction in pay, demotion or dismissal.

Any employee who feels that unjust disciplinary action such as an oral or written reprimand has been given, has the right to submit a grievance as established by the grievance procedures of the Department of Corrections. For disciplinary actions involving reassignment, transfer in excess of 50 miles, suspension, reduction in pay, demotion, or dismissal, permanent Career Service employees have the right to appeal to the Career Service Commission. Violation of more than one rule shall be considered in the application of discipline and may result in greater discipline than specified for one offense alone.

Any questions regarding these rules and personnel procedures should be referred to the employee’s circuit administrator, warden or Personnel Manager.

The preceding section titled Rules of Conduct and the following list of offenses and work deficiencies with their ranges of disciplinary actions will be used by this Department in administering an effective disciplinary program.

THE SEVERITY OF PENALTIES MAY VARY DEPENDING UPON THE FREQUENCY AND NATURE OF A PARTICULAR OFFENSE AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING EACH CASE. WHILE THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR IMPARTIAL SUPERVISION AND EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT, AND DO NOT SET ABSOLUTE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM PENALTIES, IT IS EXPECTED THAT ALL SUPERVISORS WILL CONSIDER THEM IN REACHING DISCIPLINARY DECISIONS.

 

Offense or Deficiency

First

Occurrence

Second

Occurrence

Third

Occurrence

Fourth

Occurrence

 

(1) Gambling

Oral or Written

Written

Up to 30 days

Dismissal

 

 

Reprimand

Reprimand

Suspension

 

 

 

10 days

or up to or

 

 

 

 

Suspension

Dismissal

 

 

 

(2) Horseplay or Fighting

Same

Same

Same

Same

 

(3) Loafing

Same

Same

Same

Same

 

(4) Tardiness (With a 2-month period)

Same

Same

Same

Same

 

(5) Excessive Absenteeism

Same

Same

Same

Same

 

(6) Malicious Use of Profane or Abusive

Same

Same

Same

Same

 

Language Toward Inmates, Visitors, or

 

 

 

 

 

Persons Under Supervision

 

 

 

 

 

(7) Absence Without Authorized Leave

Same

Same

Same

Same

 

(8) Unauthorized Distribution of Written or

Same

Same

Same

Same

 

Printed Material of any Description

 

 

 

 

 

(9) Unauthorized Solicitations or Sales on

Same

Same

Same

Same

 

DC Premises or While on Duty

 

 

 

 

 

(10) Substandard Quality and/or Quantity

Same

Same

Same

Same

 

of Work

 

 

 

 

 

(11) Reporting to Work Improperly

Same

Same

Same

Same

 

Dressed for Job Assignment

 

 

 

 

 

(12) Sleeping on Job

Written

Dismissal

 

 

 

 

Reprimand,

 

 

 

 

 

up to 30 days

 

 

 

 

 

Suspension or

 

 

 

 

 

Dismissal

 

 

 

 

(13) Negligence

Same

Same

 

 

 

(14) Revealing Confidential Information

Same

Same

 

 

 

in DC records to unauthorized person

 

 

 

 

 

(15) Possession of an Unauthorized

Same

Same

 

 

 

Intoxicant, Narcotic, Barbiturate,

 

 

 

 

 

Hallucinogenic drug, Central nervous

 

 

 

 

 

system stimulant, Weapon or Firearm

 

 

 

 

 

on DC Property

 

 

 

 

 

(16*) Reporting to Work under the

Same

Same

 

 

 

Influence of an Intoxicant, Narcotic,

 

 

 

 

 

Barbiturate, Hallucinogenic drug, or

 

 

 

 

 

Central nervous system stimulant

 

 

 

 

 

(17*) Drinking an Intoxicant or using a

Same

Same

 

 

 

Narcotic, Barbiturate, Hallucinogenic drug,

 

 

 

 

 

or Central nervous system stimulant on the Job

 

 

 

 

 

*The Governor and Cabinet by Resolution adopted July 17, 1973, have established the State Policy on Alcoholism which recognized alcoholism as treatable illness, a medical and public health problem and an employment problem. When an employee drinks to the extent that it affects his or her work performance, the employee is a problem drinker. As with any health liability, alcoholism is of serious concern to the employee and employer alike. Therefore, it is the policy of this state to recognize alcoholism as a disease. The Career Service Personnel Rules and Regulations (Rule 60K-4.010, F.A.C.) requires that a dismissal action taken against an employee for habitual drunkenness shall be in accordance with the State Policy on Alcoholism as adopted by the Administration Commission and the guidelines issued by the Secretary of Administration.

 

(18) Failure to maintain direct (sight) supervision of

assigned medium, close or maximum custody inmates

Written Reprimand, up

to 30 days of  Suspension

Dismissal

 

while outside the institution security perimeter

or Dismissal

 

 

(19) Leaving the Assigned Work Station without

Same

Same

 

Authorization

 

 

 

(20) Use of Corporal Punishment, Verbal or Physical

Same

Same

 

Abuse of an Inmate

 

 

 

(21) Falsification of Forms or Records

Same

Same

 

(22) Conduct Unbecoming a Public Employee

Same

Same

 

(23) Stealing DC Property, Property of an Inmate

Same

Same

 

Visitor or Employee

 

 

 

(24) Willful Violation of Rules, Regulations, Directives

Same

Same

 

or Policy Statements

 

 

 

(25) Unauthorized Use of DC Equipment or Property

Same

Same

 

(26) Insubordination

Same

Same

 

(27) Destruction or Abuse of DC Property or Equipment

Same

Same

 

(28) Destruction of Evidence or Giving False Testimony

Written Reprimand,

Dismissal

 

 

up to 30 days Suspension

 

 

 

or Dismissal

 

 

(29) Unlawfully Obtaining Money from or on behalf

Same

Same

 

of an Inmate or Person under Supervision

 

 

 

(30) Failure to Report and Turn in Without Delay all

Same

Same

 

Property Found, Seized, or Taken Officially

 

 

 

(31) Failure to Submit to a Required Physical Exam

Same

Same

 

(32) Failure to follow Oral or Written Instructions

Same

Same

 

(33) Abuse of Sick Leave Privileges

Same

Same

 

(34) Careless or Unsafe Handling of Firearms or Other

Same

Same

 

Weapons

 

 

 

(35) Cowardice

Same

Same

 

(36) Failure to report for duty when instructed to do so in time of emergency or potential emergency

 

Same

 

Same

 

Specific Authority 20.315, 944.09, 945.21 FS. Law Implemented 944.09, 944.14, 944.34, 944.35, 944.36, 944.37, 944.38, 944.39, 944.47, 945.14, 945.15, 945.21 FS. History–New 10-8-76, Formerly 33-4.03, Amended 1-30-96, Formerly 33-4.003, Amended_________.