Alcohol, drugs and solvent misuse at work policy

It’s for all employees.

• This policy is designed to encourage employees with a drink or drug problem to get help. We will, whenever possible, guarantee that issues will be dealt with confidentially. 
• It also describes some of the symptoms or behaviours that might indicate someone has an issue. 
• We will try to offer every assistance to employees with a problem that comes to light through observation or due to performance concerns.
• We encourage any employee who feels they may have a problem to voluntarily see help through their line manager or Assistant Director, People.

Managers are responsible for:

• setting a good example to their employees
• making sure they are familiar with policy and procedures 
• making sure their employees understand the policy and their own responsibilities  
• being alert to and to monitor changes in work performance, attendance, sickness and accident patterns
• taking an objective and non-judgemental approach when counselling or interviewing employees  
• referring employees for assistance when appropriate 
• identifying any aspects of the working environments which could lead to substance abuse problems, and if possible, changing them  
• intervening early where there are signs of problems 

Local people teams are responsible for:

• implementing the policy and supporting managers in implementing the policy
• the day-to-day co-ordination of the policy
• referring employees for assistance
• advising on the appropriateness or otherwise of the disciplinary procedure and  ensuring that personnel statistics are kept on absence and sickness levels and analysed periodically 
• helping plan and take part in providing training on substance abuse and the organisation's policy when appropriate
• following the principles set out in this guide and ensuring they are followed by other employees  
• increasing understanding among employees about substance abuse and the concepts of safe and sensible drinking  
• informing employees of the existence and operation of the substance abuse policy  

All employees are responsible for:

• understanding the implications of substance abuse and the social, health and employment effects  
• avoiding covering up or colluding with colleagues.  
• urging colleagues to seek help if they have problems arising from substance abuse  
• seeking help where they themselves have problems from substance abuse
• making sure they are familiar with the policy and procedures  
• using alcohol responsibly, and avoiding the use of illegal drugs