In order to effectively implement a robust drug and alcohol testing programme, we understand that our customers will need support to do so. That is why we can help you review your drug and alcohol policy, train and educate your workforce and management teams, collect your samples following robust chain of custody procedures, check your workforce is safe to work whilst taking medication and give you options other than dismissal with positive tests via our fit to return programme.
Our policy specialists will work with you to understand the risks posed by drug and alcohol misuse in your workplace and ensure you have a substance misuse policy to effectively manage those risks. The policy will support your programme of drug and alcohol testing, ensuring disciplinary action following a positive test result is detailed within the policy and consequently enforceable. The policy will be compliant with local legislation and industry regulations.
Our advice follows a proven structured approach based on industry best practice. We clearly explain the factors and consequences that should be considered when developing and implementing a programme of testing. Having advised many companies across a wide range of industries, we have the experience and knowledge to avoid the pitfalls and mistakes within a policy that might otherwise only come to light when the policy is challenged.
A Drug and Alcohol Policy should be fair, simple and easy to understand for all employees and align it with the culture, vision and working practices of your company.
We can help you by reviewing your Drug and Alcohol Policy or going that step further and helping you write it. We can also help with union consultations during the development and/or implementation of policies and testing programmes, to give them a full understanding of testing.
Why do I need a policy?
A good drug and alcohol policy enables employers to communicate the organisation’s attitude to drugs and alcohol, empowers employees to maintain a safe working environment and ensures a clear understanding of expectations between management and staff.
The benefits of having a robust drug and alcohol testing program are numerous and include:
Once your policy has been written it needs to be effectively communicated to your workforce so that everybody has a clear understanding of the rules and employees are empowered to maintain a safe working environment.
Under Health & Safety at Work legislation everyone has a responsibility to be fit for work. Although drug and alcohol use might be considered a personal responsibility, an employee’s behaviour might harm other colleagues, or even the public. Therefore, if somebody has concerns about another colleague’s ability to do their work, they need to know how they can take action.
Our dedicated Training Department will work with you to create a bespoke training package that suits your requirements. Courses include practical tasks and quizzes to assess the competence of delegates, checking that the key points of the training are understood.
Manager Awareness Training
It is vital that managers and supervisors understand their responsibilities regarding your drug and alcohol policy. We ensure that managers know how to recognise the signs and symptoms of drug and/or alcohol use. We also explain what action they should take in accordance with your policy including;
Specimen Collection Training
If you choose to collect your own samples rather than using one of our Collecting Officers, then comprehensive training in sample collection and chain of custody protocols is essential to ensure the robustness of your testing.
Delegates will be trained so they are confident and competent in sample collection. Upon successful completion of a theory and practical assessment each delegate is issued with a certificate of competency. This ensures that all of your Collecting Officers can evidence appropriate training, and that you can feel assured your drug and alcohol testing programme is carried out smoothly and efficiently, with no concerns for the competency of the Collecting Officer.
To ensure the continued competency of all your Collection Officers, we recommend they attend a training course at least every two years.
Medical Review Officer Workshops
Our Medical Review Officer (MRO) Workshop provides delegates with the training they need to understand all aspects of the drug testing process, as well as an understanding of how the MRO role fits within a drug testing policy and programme.
The MRO fulfils an important role within workplace drug testing. In assessing whether there is a legitimate reason for a positive drug testing result, they must have a good understanding of all parts of the drug testing process as well as issues related to drug use and abuse.
You will be awarded 5 CPD points on completion of the MRO Workshop, approved by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.
Results Recipient Training
Taking inappropriate action following a drug and alcohol test result can lead to Employment or Industrial Tribunals, payment of compensation, lost time defending claims of unfair dismissal, legal fees, and bad publicity.
Our Training seeks to educate attendees to take the correct action and avoid unnecessary disputes. Delegates will leave with a clear understanding of what test results mean and will have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. By learning how to identify which employees represent risk they will be able to prioritise return to work more speedily and be confident on how to take appropriate action including disciplinary proceedings.
Our Results Recipient Training covers many elements including an outline of the testing processes and the interpretation of results and will answer the following questions:
Our global network of over 900 Collecting Officers provides impartial and legally defensible sample collections with minimum disruption to your operations. Each Collecting Officer undergoes comprehensive training. Regular auditing across the network means that you and your staff can be confident of a consistent, high quality service wherever you are in the world.
You will also receive a professional and personal approach to testing, with our Collecting Officers understanding the sensitivities of different cultures and environments. We collect from many types of location, including workplace offices, vessels, oil rigs, homes and many more.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness in the event of an emergency is vital, which is why our network is on call around the clock, every day of the year. In 2018 the UK Collecting Officers managed to arrive at a customer site on average within 1 hour and 27 minutes following an emergency call out request.
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UK Medical Clinics
Our growing network of UK medical clinics enable our customers to send employees and candidates for employment to one of our dedicated testing sites. We can work with the donor directly to schedule the test allowing you to get on with running your business.
Dismissal is not the only option when companies are faced with a positive result from an employee drug or alcohol test. Our Fit to Return Programme provides a credible alternative, supporting the employee whilst continuing to manage the risks associated with recreational substance use.
Compared to dismissal, the programme
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Course Content
Who FTR is aimed at?
We’ve created Chemist on Call to allow our customers to check that their staff are safe to work whilst taking medications.
Without checking in place, medications can cause serious accidents through unwanted side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness and lack of concentration – particularly hazardous in ‘safety-critical’ environments.
Whatever medication your employees are taking, our Pharmacists provide confidence that your workforce receives the most appropriate advice on the risk of side effects, providing clear instructions on work restrictions, if necessary.
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