Legal Definitions - zero-tolerance policy

A zero-tolerance policy is a strict rule or approach that mandates immediate and predetermined consequences for specific prohibited actions, without allowing for discretion or consideration of mitigating circumstances. Its purpose is to deter certain behaviors by clearly stating that any violation will result in a set penalty, regardless of the intent or perceived severity of the infraction.

Here are some examples of how a zero-tolerance policy might apply:

• Workplace Safety: A manufacturing plant implements a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in designated hazardous zones. For instance, any employee found not wearing safety goggles or a hard hat in a required area, even for a brief moment, faces immediate disciplinary action, such as a suspension or termination. This illustrates a zero-tolerance policy because there is no room for excuses or leniency; the rule is absolute to prevent serious injury.

• Public Transportation: A city's subway system adopts a zero-tolerance policy for fare evasion. This means that anyone caught entering the system without a valid ticket or pass, regardless of whether they claim to have forgotten their wallet or were just a few cents short, will immediately receive a significant fine and potentially face prosecution. The policy eliminates discretion for transit officers, ensuring consistent enforcement against all instances of fare evasion.

• Professional Sports: A major professional sports league establishes a zero-tolerance policy for athletes found to be gambling on games within their own sport. If an athlete is discovered to have placed a bet, even a small one, on a game, they face an automatic, lengthy suspension or permanent ban from the league. This demonstrates a zero-tolerance approach by imposing a severe, non-negotiable penalty for any violation of the gambling rules, aiming to protect the integrity of the sport.