Employer introducing a random drug and alcohol test

elsien

I used to work in your field as a manager. I would consider random drug and alcohol testing a complete overreaction. Someone at the top has got their overzealous hat on. 

If any of you are in a union, now would be a good time to call them. You need to challenge it now, not when someone starts waving the test at you. 
I rarely drink and didn’t take drugs but this would prompt me to move on elsewhere if necessary. There’s enough other places looking for good support workers. 

Thrugelmir

MalMonroe said:

I don't think it would be a waste of your time to just give Acas a call. There's some info in the link below about changes in employment contracts.

https://www.acas.org.uk/changing-an-employment-contract

And if you scroll down there's the Acas number to call. 

I DO think it's an invasion because how are they going to test for drugs and alcohol? Urine? If so will someone be waiting outside the loo to make sure that you don't swap samples? Blood? And WHO exactly is going to be testing? A medic? Or just someone with a dipstick test?

If you have a union, you could also contact them.

Or, as it seems like an awful place to work from what you've said, start looking round for another job. But don't let them just foist this ludicrous state of affairs on y'all. (Sorry, been watching too many US programmes)  

Employers are supposed to negotiate with their employees rather than dictate.

If you need to relax and unwind during the week, though, you could try using some kind of relaxation or meditation rather than booze, which isn't good for you anyway. But at the weekends, you could spoil yourself and build yourself up for the week ahead.  

Having worked for a company where an employee fell into a grain silo and accidently drowned . To dismiss H&S so flippantly shows a complete ignorance of the legal responsibilies placed on companies and in particular company directors. 

TELLIT01

The OP needs to know what the parameters of the tests are i.e. what level of alcohol is acceptable.  If the employer says zero tolerance it's then up to the employee whether they want to drink or take drugs before a working day or not. 

pjcox2005

Presumably there may also be a difference as to whether they do actually carry out the tests or just have it in place to raise awareness and give an ability to test if people are turning up clearing impacted by drugs or alcohol.

Undervalued

Deleted_User said:

The company that I work for has just sent an email to all its employees saying that it's introducing a random drug and/or alcohol testing. There is nothing in my contract saying that this was going to be introduced. All the people in my team are against it, not because we are all taking drugs or are alcoholics (lol) but we feel it's an invasion of privacy and more. It's a stressful job and sometimes in the week I fancy a few drinks to relax and unwind. Can the company force us to take the random test if it comes into force or have we the right to refuse. The email states that if we refuse then disciplinary action will be taken.

It is easier than most people realise for an employer to change the terns of your contract of employment.

In any case they may not need to even do that. Not everything needs to be spelt out in a contract. There will be a generally duty (which may or may not be spelt out) to follow any reasonable management instruction. If testing staff for alcohol or drugs is commonplace in your field of work then it would probably be held to be reasonable for your employer to introduce it.

It may also be a condition of some grant or contract they are taking on? If so, again it would be reasonable to introduce it.

Any testing should be done professionally and with due regard to privacy but providing it is I think you will struggle to refuse and keep your job.

Marvel1

Quite worrying when people are concerned about being under the influence for these tests but not if they drove to the workplace!

Dakta

Gotta be honest as a support worker dealing with vulnerable people the biggest surprise for me was that there wasn't already provision for D+A testing.

Quite a large number of employers do do this, usually on health and safety grounds and whilst even where testing is conducted its unlikely to see people being tested here there and everywhere, it forms good posture and provides a valuable component of post-incident response.

Not clued up on your line of work, but as a layman I'm surprised given the nature of the work it isn't there already. In all fairness I am of the nothing to hide, nothing to fear mindset.

In order to undertake the tests, you will of course have presented yourself to work in the state under which you'd be tested - and the result will identify whether you are fit to fulfill the duties safely in a field where emotional and physical state are important so I don't see a massive privacy issue here, though you could as mentioned above try and clarify thresholds so you can be informed.

In reality I don't think people who drink regularly but moderately have that much to worry about.

happyc84

Having a D&A policy protects staff and customers; who would want to work with someone who is bladdered.

Doesn't have to be in a "safety industry"  accidents happen going up and down stairs.
Just make sure its done by a licensed organisation. 
Not a problem as long as guidelines are inline with your sector.

The old days of a heavy liquid lunch are rightly a thing of the past.

DayDreamerandGeneralWaster

Dakta said:

Gotta be honest as a support worker dealing with vulnerable people the biggest surprise for me was that there wasn't already provision for D+A testing.

Quite a large number of employers do do this, usually on health and safety grounds and whilst even where testing is conducted its unlikely to see people being tested here there and everywhere, it forms good posture and provides a valuable component of post-incident response.

Not clued up on your line of work, but as a layman I'm surprised given the nature of the work it isn't there already. In all fairness I am of the nothing to hide, nothing to fear mindset.

In order to undertake the tests, you will of course have presented yourself to work in the state under which you'd be tested - and the result will identify whether you are fit to fulfill the duties safely in a field where emotional and physical state are important so I don't see a massive privacy issue here, though you could as mentioned above try and clarify thresholds so you can be informed.

In reality I don't think people who drink regularly but moderately have that much to worry about.

^^ this for me too. I think it's acceptable given your job role. 

oh_really

I cant believe folks aren't throwing a hissy fit that there is no regulatory framework for care staff similar to other staff professions, that there is no minimum qualification requirement, that there is no requirement for individuals to be registered with the CQC and on and on and on.