Drug & Alcohol Policy
Purpose
Sapphire Accounting Limited recognises that alcohol and drug use in moderation may not cause any problems. The Company also recognises that alcohol and drug abuse problems may have a detrimental effect on work performance and behaviour.
It is therefore Company policy that staff may not bring to or consume alcohol or any unlawful drugs in the workplace during work time or during a period prior to work where the effects may carry over to the workplace. This includes business functions where the employee is representing the Company. Special rules may apply in relation to alcohol, where the Company has approved the presence of alcohol. In these circumstances any variation to the no-alcohol policy will be communicated in advance of the event by the Managing Director.
Sapphire Accounting Limited recognises that a member of staff with alcohol or drug abuse problems needs help and support from his / her employer. However the Company also understands that it has a responsibility to all its employees and other stakeholders to ensure that any risks related to this are minimised.
Accordingly, Company policy involves two approaches
- Providing reasonable assistance to the member of staff with an alcohol or drug abuse problem who is willing to co-operate in treatment for that problem.
- Disciplinary rules, enforced through disciplinary procedures, where use of alcohol or drugs (other than on prescription) affects performance or behaviour at work, and where either (1) an alcohol or drug dependency problem does not exist or (2) where treatment is not possible or has not succeeded.
The Company has not the internal resources to provide or arrange treatment or other forms of specialist assistance. Such services are provided by GPs, hospitals and other agencies. Through this policy the Company will seek both to assist a member of staff in obtaining such specialist help, and to protect his/her employment.
Scope
This policy covers Sapphire Accounting Limited and associated companies, Sapphire DNP, Sapphire Growth Limited and SASER Limited.
Assistance for a Member of Staff
The Company will, where possible, provide the following assistance to a member of staff:
- Helping the member of staff to recognise the nature of the problem, through referral to a qualified diagnostic or counselling service.
- The opportunity to remain or return to work following the completion of a course of treatment, as far as is practicable, in either the employee’s own post or an alternative post.
The Company’s assistance will depend upon the following conditions being met:
- The Occupational Health Service / Company Approved Doctor diagnoses an alcohol or drug dependency related problem.
- The member of staff recognises that he/she is suffering from an alcohol or drug abuse problem and is prepared to co-operate fully in referral and treatment from appropriate sources.
The Company and its employees must recognise the following limits to the assistance the Company can provide:
- Where a member of staff fails to co-operate in referral or treatment arrangements, no special assistance will be given and any failure in work performance and behaviour will be dealt with through the Disciplinary Procedure.
- If the process of referral and treatment is completed but is not successful, and failure in work performance or behaviour occurs, these will be dealt with through the Disciplinary Procedure.
- A member of staff’s continuation in his/her post or an alternative post during or after treatment will depend upon the needs of the Company at that time.
Disciplinary Action
In line with the Company’s disciplinary rules, the following will be regarded as serious misconduct:
- Attending work and/or carrying our duties under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Consumption of alcohol or drugs whilst on duty (other than where prescribed or approval has been given).
Breach of these rules will normally result in summary dismissal, and only in exceptional cases will either notice or the reduced disciplinary action of a final written warning be applied.
Where a breach of these rules occurs, but it is established that an alcohol or drug abuse related problem exists, and the member of staff is willing to co-operate in referral to an appropriate service and subsequent treatment, the Company will suspend application of the Disciplinary Procedure and provide assistance as described above. Staff who do not comply with the treatment suggested or continue to abuse alcohol or drugs will be subjected to the application of the Disciplinary Policy.
Appendix 1 – Sources of External Support
Alcohol Dependence
Drinkline
Helpline: 0800 917 8282
Drinkline runs a free, confidential helpline for people who are concerned about their own drinking, or someone else’s.
NHS Choices Website
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Alcohol-misuse/Pages/Introduction.aspx
National Health Service advice page.
Drinkaware
Drinkaware works to reduce alcohol misuse and harm in the UK.
Addaction
http://www.addaction.org.uk/default.asp
Addaction is the UK’s leading drug and alcohol charity, helping over 40,000 people a year to recover from their addiction problems.
Al-Anon
Provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking, regardless of whether that person is still drinking or not.
Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
AA is an organisation of men and women who share their experience with each other hoping to solve their problems and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Drug Dependence
NHS Choices Website
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/drugs/Pages/Drugtreatment.aspx
National Health Service advice page.
Talk to Frank
National drugs awareness site for young people and parents/carers.
Narcotics Anonymous
Helpline for the UK: 0300 999 1212
N.A. is a non-profit fellowship of recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. Membership is open to anyone with a drug problem seeking help, regardless of what drug or combination of drugs have been used, and irrespective of age, sex, religion, race, creed or class. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using drugs.
