Alcohol and drug misuse
Some employers reserve the right to carry out random drug and alcohol tests on employees, particularly in safety-critical industries.
Employers that wish to test staff for drugs and alcohol should clearly and unambiguously reserve the right to do so in their contracts of employment. There should also be in place a clear policy on drug and alcohol testing, setting out when and how testing will be carried out, who will carry out the testing and what will be done with the results of any tests.
Top 10 HR questions November 2019: IR35, Christmas parties and PILON
Pending a review announced by chancellor Sajid Javid, reforms to the IR35 rules are due to be extended to the...
PwC cracks down on office drinking
Consulting firm PwC has introduced new rules around when and where employees can drink alcohol in the office.
Under the...
Top 10 HR questions September 2019: The effect of a leap year on pay
There will be an extra working day in 2020 for many employees, so does the leap year mean extra pay?...
Is this the strangest way to make people redundant?
A collective redundancy announcement is perhaps one of the hardest parts of an HR professional’s job. No one wants to have to tell people they’re losing their role through no fault of their own...
Stressed staff turn to ‘unhealthy’ coping mechanisms over professional help
Many workers who feel stressed are turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol and “stress eating” rather than seeking...
More support needed to tackle prescription drug dependence
A review into the scale and causes of prescription drug dependence has highlighted the need for more support services and...
A third ‘pressured’ to drink more alcohol at work social events
Co-workers are more influential than family members or partners when it comes to encouraging staff to have more alcohol than...
Medicinal cannabis: what HR needs to know
Although the prescription of medicinal cannabis products is not yet widespread in the UK, employers need to be aware of the legal framework concerning its use
Encourage healthier habits among Generation Z, employers urged
Organisations need to be aware of the health challenges faced by younger employees and the impact this might have on...
City trading floor bans alcohol
The London Metal Exchange (LME) has banned dealers on its trading floor from working under the influence of alcohol.
‘Hop-desking’: BrewDog launches remote working initiative
Many remote workers frequently take advantage of coffee shops’ free wi-fi and power outlets but now pubs are trying to...
‘Dangerous complacency’ in support for young workers with long-term health conditions
Young workers with long-term health conditions in the UK are being offered less support than they would receive from healthcare...
One in four younger employees goes into work feeling drunk
One in four workers between the ages of 18 and 34 has gone to work still feeling drunk after the...
Drug and alcohol tests: what employers need to know
Barratt Developments recently announced it would introduce randomised drug and alcohol testing for staff to combat increased risks...
Toolkit helps employers tackle alcohol, tobacco and drug misuse
Business in the Community (BITC) and Public Health England have published a toolkit to help employers support their staff in...
