HR tip: Drunk employee

HRD & Payroll Solutions continues to bring HR Zone members a range of HR and payroll tips in 2007. A market leader in the provision of HR and Payroll training and nationally recognised professional qualifications, HRD & Payroll Solutions are highly experienced in teaching about common HR and payroll problems. A wide selection of tips, tricks and guidance can be seen below. HR Zone highly recommends that any tips are taken as a starting point for guidance only.

Question: "An employee turned up for work one afternoon drunk. He was sent home. Next day, when we remonstrated with him, he insisted that he was not drunk though had popped into the pub for a half pint. How do we stand?"
HR Tip:
You can insist that he was drunk and treat him accordingly, if you have good reason to believe that he was drunk. Alcohol on the breath would alone be insufficient evidence of drunkenness though you could discipline him if his bad breath might adversely affect work colleagues or customers.
Ideally, if you suspect someone of being drunk or incapable of work through use of illegal drugs or even prescribed medicines, have an assessment made by at least two managers or supervisors. Look for evidence such as inability to walk straight, slurred speech, difficulty focussing, alcohol on breath. And finally commit the assessment to writing and have the assessors sign it. You do not need a medical examination or breathalyser test. The well founded assessment of two people is sufficient evidence on which you can discipline someone for being unfit for work due to the influence of alcohol or other substance.
Previous HR and Payroll tips:
July 2007
Resignation in face of discipline
Personality problem
June 2007
Searching employees
Companion in disciplinary hearings
Dependents' leave
The right to privacy
May 2007
Confidential information
Sex discrimination
Fixed term contracts
Return from maternity leave
April 2007
Sex discrimination
Deductions from wages
Custom and practice
Disclosing employees' birthdays
March 2007
Making notes in disciplinary proceedings
Discipline and the police
Analysing poor performance
Resignation in a temper
Implied terms of contract
February 2007
Issuing contracts of employment
Unfair and wrongful dismissal
Bullying boss
Persistent absentees
January 2007
Confidential witness statements
Ending a fixed term contract
2006 tips
2005 tips

HR Zone, 19-Jul-2007
Categories: Management
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HR tip: Drunk employee

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