Member Event: Early Bird – Tackling drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace – Norwich

In our first Early Bird series of 2015 we will look in detail at the issue of drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

We will cover the legal considerations and suggest practical steps to take in order to prevent abuses by staff. We will also look at tactics for dealing with employees who are suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the extent that it is impairing their ability to function effectively at work.

What are the implications of drug and alcohol consumption outside of working hours? It is often at the boundary of an employee’s private and working life where the most difficult challenges arise for employers. We will consider the circumstances when an employer will be justified in taking disciplinary action.

The session will cover:

• the legal framework, including health and safety duties and data protection obligations
• ensuring your contracts and policies provide adequate protection
• drug and alcohol testing: in what circumstances can it (and should it) be carried out?
• signs for managers to spot when there might be a problem
• taking appropriate disciplinary action, and when to consider referral for treatment as an alternative
• how to deal with e-cigarettes and ‘legal highs’.

We will also be looking at a ‘real-life’ case study, to examine how an employer dealt with drug and alcohol problems arising among employees in safety-critical roles.

To book your place, pleaseclick hereor contact Laura Watts on 01603 756439.