Following a turbulent two years of lockdowns and restrictions, an increasing number of Britons are leaving their home offices behind and heading back to work.
However, this mass return does raise the question of how prepared businesses are to welcome employees back. Especially when it comes to mitigating risk and maintaining a happy, healthy workforce.
The use of illicit substances has a detrimental impact on every sector across the UK, with research showing that alcohol-related sick days cost UK employers £1.7 billion per year.1 Furthermore, 25 per cent of employees admit that drugs or alcohol have affected them at work.2
To find out how businesses are addressing workplace drinking and drug use, AlphaBiolabs asked 500 senior managers in safety critical industries (manufacturing, engineering, construction, and logistics) about their substance misuse policy.3
Out of those surveyed…
- 20 per cent said they have no policy in place
- 10 per cent didn’t know whether they had a policy at all
- 1 in 5 said they did not feel confident they’d be able to spot the signs of someone abusing drugs or alcohol
- And only 13 per cent said they’d seen an increase in drug and alcohol use at work during the pandemic; a conservative estimate when 1 in 5 wouldn’t be able to spot the signs
Why it’s important to review your workplace drug and alcohol policy
As well as highlighting an urgent need for management awareness training, these figures demonstrate a serious lack of judgment by employers at a time when health and safety remains paramount.
Here, we explore just a few of the reasons why a robust substance misuse policy is fundamental for workplace health and safety.
- You have a duty of care to your employees
All employers have a general duty of care to ensure as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of employees, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Having the appropriate policy in place demonstrates your commitment to workplace health and safety, as well as helping you to protect your reputation.
- Workplace testing is proven to reduce risk
Using alcohol or drugs at work can have serious consequences, especially for those working in safety critical industries such as construction, engineering, or logistics.
Random testing such as urine, oral fluid and breath testing, or pre-employment tests such as nail testing, can help you ensure your staff are fit to perform their duties, and reduce the likelihood of workplace accidents resulting in serious injury and in extreme cases, loss of life.
- Reduce the cost of sickness absence
It is estimated that up to 17 million working days are lost in Britain each year due to alcohol-related sickness absence alone4.
A policy that includes random drug and alcohol screening is a proven deterrent that can help lessen the cost of sickness absence to your business.
- Learn how to spot the signs of substance abuse
Awareness training enables management and staff spot the signs of drinking or drug use at the earliest opportunity, reducing the likelihood of workplace incidents, and enabling employers to provide the correct support for staff who may be struggling.
Tell-tale signs of drug or alcohol misuse include loss of concentration, increased sickness absence, poor decision making, and increased conflict with colleagues.
Review your workplace drug and alcohol policy now
Whether you’re an OSH practitioner looking to review your existing policy, or you’re planning to introduce a workplace testing programme for the first time, it’s worth considering how drug and alcohol testing can help you mitigate risk and safeguard employees.
To assist businesses with policy creation and review, AlphaBiolabs is holding a free webinar on 17th May titled, ‘Why every business should have a drug and alcohol policy’. During the session, we’ll discuss the risks of operating without a policy in place, how and when to implement your policy, and a few best practice industry examples to guide you through the process.
Click here to sign up.
As a UKAS-accredited testing laboratory, AlphaBiolabs offers a range of products and services for the workplace, from testing for cause (where drink or drug use is suspected), to random and pre-employment testing, management and employee awareness training, post rehab and return to work testing, and assistance with policy review and creation.
For more information call 0333 600 1300 or email [email protected].
Sources:
1: Institute of Alcohol Studies, Alcohol in the workplace (Oct 2020), https://www.ias.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Alcohol-in-the-workplace.pdf
2: AlcoholChange.org.uk, Alcohol in the workplace, https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets/alcohol-in-the-workplace
3: Find Out Now, survey of 500 senior managers in safety critical industries, commissioned by AlphaBiolabs (construction, manufacturing, engineering, and logistics).
4: WorkSmart.org.uk, How much of a problem is drug and alcohol abuse at work? https://worksmart.org.uk/health-advice/employer-support/drugs-and-alcohol/how-much-problem-drug-and-alcohol-abuse-work
