Page 12 - CZS Employee Handbook
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All employees and individuals associated with the Soci- Drug-Free Workplace The Chicago Zoological
ety are obligated to report observed, suspected, or apparent
misconduct in science to the Senior Vice President of Ani- Society is a drug-free workplace and prohibits the illegal
mal Programs, the Senior Vice President of Conservation, possession, distribution, transfer, manufacture, purchase,
Education, and Community Affairs, or the Vice President sale, dispensation, or use of controlled substances, including
of Human Resources, who have been designated to receive alcohol. The Society prohibits the possession, consumption,
such reports. or distribution of alcohol in the workplace, except for duly
authorized social functions. Liquor sales associated with the
Visitors As a general rule, employees may not bring vis- normal course of zoo restaurant business are exempt from
this policy.
itors, including family or friends, into nonpublic employee
areas without the advance approval of their management Whistleblower Policy The Society operates with
supervisor, during or outside of work hours, even for brief
visits. Employees may not bring a child to work while they the highest ethics. To this end, the Society has a whis-
are working as an alternative to daycare arrangements, even tleblower policy in place to encourage any staff member,
if only for a short period, such as a meeting. including the Board of Trustees, to disclose any wrong¬do-
ing that could adversely impact the Chicago Zoological
Workplace Threats and Violence All employees Society. These include actions that may lead to incorrect
financial reporting; actions that are unlawful, such as theft
and people who have contact with employees are expected of Society cash or property; actions that are not in keeping
to conduct themselves in a professional, respectful, and with Society policies; or other actions that amount to
businesslike manner and to refrain from threatening, serious misconduct. The whistleblower policy includes an
disruptive, or violent behavior. All forms of violent or investigation process for reported acts of wrongdoing or
threatening behavior on the premises are prohibited. retaliation, as well as procedures for reporting questionable
Prohibited conduct includes but is not limited to threats auditing, accounting, and/or internal control matters by
of violence, use of abusive language, making disruptive or employees or volunteers on a confidential and anonymous
threatening remarks or telephone calls, sending threatening basis. The Society has contracted with an outside company
emails or other communications, displaying or threatening to host an Ethics Hotline with a special toll-free number,
the use of weapons, throwing or destroying objects or (877) 571-0866, for employees and volunteers to use to
property, using or attempting to use actual physical report wrongdoing or suspected wrongdoing on an anony-
violence against another person or animal, or any other mous basis. Acts of wrongdoing or suspected wrong-
conduct that, in the judgment of the Society, is threatening doing can also be reported to the Senior Vice President of
or may endanger the safety or well-being of any staff
member, animal, or any person on the premises or Finance, the Vice President of Human Resources,
who may have contact with Society staff. or an Audit Committee member (for reports of
Senior Vice President of Finance or Vice
Smoking The Smoke-Free Illinois Act prohibits President of Human Resources misconduct).
smoking in virtually all public places and workplac- Nursing Mothers The Society
es. The law was enacted to protect Illinois residents, supports breastfeeding and a
workers, and visitors from the harmful effects of sec- mother’s legal right to breastfeed
ondhand smoke. Smoking is prohibited within 15 feet in public, whether covered or
of building entrances, exits, open windows, ventilation uncovered, in any public
intakes, and other such areas, where there is frequent em- area. It is important that
ployee traffic, or near buildings or windows where smoke employees are aware
may drift inside. that this is a mother’s
Specific areas have been designated for the public legal right, particularly
and for Society employees for smoking. All zoo visitors, while they are visiting
contractors, vendors, and employees are required to restrict Brookfield Zoo.
smoking, including e-cigarettes, to those areas specifically Nursing mothers must
designated for smoking. never be asked to move
10 SECTION 1: Employee Rights and Responsibilities
