Drug and alcohol use at work: Guidance for people professionals
Practical advice to help manage incidents and provide support for those struggling with drug or alcohol problems
Practical advice to help manage incidents and provide support for those struggling with drug or alcohol problems
Drug and alcohol use cause significant issues in society, meaning they also present issues for workplaces. You may have to handle a situation where an employee is using alcohol and/or drugs in a way that is harmful, or creates risks, for themselves and/or others.
Whatever your personal views, it is important that you handle such cases professionally and with integrity – supporting people and using external expertise and advice to ensure that there is a fair and unambiguous outcome.
Employers should have a clear policy on substance use. The CIPD recommends that preventing drug use and harmful drinking forms part of an organisation’s overall wellbeing offering. This ensures that any need for disciplinary action is coupled with a preventative and supportive approach to help employees get the support they need. Workplaces present valuable opportunities for early detection, intervention and support.
This guide will help you manage specific incidents and provide support for those struggling with drug or alcohol problems.
It’s also important to consider what preventative steps organisations can take to ensure that work is not contributing to the problem. This guide also covers workplace socials, corporate entertaining and organisational culture, approach to reward and the importance of inclusivity.
Affiliate membership offers instant access to CIPD resources without the need for assessments or study, or explore your options to become a professional member of the CIPD to demonstrate your commitment to the world of work.
Already a member? Login here.
Compare the breakdown by age in your organisation against UK benchmarks.
Watch our webinar to explore how organisations can create a work environment that supports employees throughout their career including in menopause and fertility challenges as well as with their menstrual health.
Register nowPractical guidance for managers on preventing and reducing stress at work
Practical advice for people professionals to maximise the impact of engaging with all employees through employee voice channels
Practical guidance for managers on preventing and reducing stress at work
This guide provides a practical introduction to the role of an L&D function in an organisation. It offers support on the key steps to offering effective L&D, including creating a learning strategy, undertaking a learning needs analysis, designing learning interventions and measuring the impact of learning.
Understand what strategic workforce planning is and how to do it