Royal Mail to start drug and alcohol testing?

[reddevils]

.

[clashcityrocker]

by current rules you can't be tested or the company risks massive litigation.

I presume you, with your in-depth critical thinking, will be leading the massive litigation?

[Barnacle]

Anyone who refuses will probably be suspended.

Reasonable assumption is that testing would occur in the morning when the majority of staff are present at the same time. For a uncompliant non-driver, though, I don't see management ripping bundles out of hands during tie-down, or unloading the van of all the Tracked, or snatching bags off people mid-loop, etc. Cynically, once the walk is clear then you'll be suspended.

Given that we don't drive enough on P&L to stop the damned particle filter from clogging up, can the job really be classified as professional driving?

Another argument, the courts only approve if your job is actually health and safety hazardous, i.e could cause serious danger to the public. If you are a non driver, by current rules you can't be tested or the company risks massive litigation. It can only target people who drive vehicles, people operating machinery in the mail centre, but the rest you can not be legitimately tested without legal consideration.
All the health and safety that Royal Mail dismiss such as vehicle safety, depot safety etc would be considered and a lot of claims it would seem there was no substance and a lack of health and safety culture at RM to begin with.

If everyone in the depot said they had no Work time learning for 2 years and have been intimidated and harassed to sign documents from a Worktime coach just so he earns his 40 quid a week, without any video or explanation of the briefing given.

Well if everyone did their van check correctly everyday, instead of just ticking every box, no van would be able to leave the yard until a manager had cleared it.

[reddevils]

by current rules you can't be tested or the company risks massive litigation.

I presume you, with your in-depth critical thinking, will be leading the massive litigation?

I'm not a non driver so no. They can use the legal argument currently I'm in a safety sensitive role.
Why be sarcastic I am trying to help people and inform them on a forum.
If you are a non driver or not operating machinery by current UK law you should not be tested and legally
have the right to refuse.

[scotchy1962]

I personally don't want to be driven about in a van where the driver is high (because they justify it for "health" reasons) nor over the limit (because they drink into the small hours to dampen the chaos in their life).

Is this too simple a request: If you hate the company...leave. Stop bitching about all the changes. Go. Fu*k off. Find something better. Royal Mail is not the only job in town. It's not the 1980's guys and gals. It's not the 1990's or the early 2000's. The world changes - you CAN change with it. Does a large company try to fu*k you over? Sure. 100%. It's your choice to keep turning up - and I think you hate it that you do. It's all you know (have a gulp or toke).

I really have had it on these threads where leaving just isn't an option and the die-hards with just dig their heels in. Like it's a right of theirs to have things NEVER change? Who appointed you in charge of the RM rudder? It moves however the board and management decide and it's for you to decide if the job is what you want or not. Go on, argue with that! That's the naked truth.

I come here for a bit of banter; a bit of "what's new?"; a bit of interest.

I'm sorry. I'm probably a bit drunk right now. But I'll be sober come tomorrow.

You personally don't have to do anything, if you think they are drunk/high either refuse to go with them or you drive instead.
Eloquent use of the f**k word in your rant and this is why we are where we are, change is not the problem, especially if its beneficial to all.
Rolling onto your belly and basically telling the company to do what they want is a cowards way out, you have rights and no matter how much the world has changed they aren't going anywhere soon. If you don't want yours that's fine, but you can f**k off with your opinion that i have to give up mine.

[Pidleypoo]

I’ve stated in this thread that there are currently too many questions that need to be answered on this.

There are reasonable medical grounds that I would refuse certain testing.

[2chorizon]

I’ve stated in this thread that there are currently too many questions that need to be answered on this.

There are reasonable medical grounds that I would refuse certain testing.

If you can go to the toilet unaided, then you can perform the test.

If you are going to claim that you cannot go to the toilet unaided then you better 'n F have been getting assistance in your DO / MC up until now.

If so then they will mouth swab you instead, if you say can't do that either then eyebrows will be raised.

You WILL NOT get away with, or ever achieve a position where you are "Exempt from testing"

Accept it and STOP CANNABIS NOW, "Just say NO"

[Pidleypoo]

I’ve stated in this thread that there are currently too many questions that need to be answered on this.

There are reasonable medical grounds that I would refuse certain testing.

If you can go to the toilet unaided, then you can perform the test.

If you are going to claim that you cannot go to the toilet unaided then you better 'n F have been getting assistance in your DO / MC up until now.

If so then they will mouth swab you instead, if you say can't do that either then eyebrows will be raised.

You WILL NOT get away with, or ever achieve a position where you are "Exempt from testing"

Accept it and STOP CANNABIS NOW, "Just say NO"

I do not take any type of illegal drugs.

I do not drink alcohol.

You simply know absolutely nothing of why I will and can refuse certain testing.

There is no law that states I have to take one.

There are reasonable grounds to refuse testing.

A quite pathetic attempt to smear someone as having a drug problem by you.

[Pidleypoo]

I’ve stated in this thread that there are currently too many questions that need to be answered on this.

There are reasonable medical grounds that I would refuse certain testing.

If you can go to the toilet unaided, then you can perform the test.

If you are going to claim that you cannot go to the toilet unaided then you better 'n F have been getting assistance in your DO / MC up until now.

If so then they will mouth swab you instead, if you say can't do that either then eyebrows will be raised.

You WILL NOT get away with, or ever achieve a position where you are "Exempt from testing"

Accept it and STOP CANNABIS NOW, "Just say NO"

I do not take any type of illegal drugs.

I do not drink alcohol.

You simply know absolutely nothing of why I will and can refuse certain testing.

There is no law that states I have to take one.

There are reasonable grounds to refuse testing.

A quite pathetic attempt to smear someone as having a drug problem by you.

Also pal , it’s not can’t do x it’s won’t do x.

[yellowbelly]

Dunno if this has been posted in the thread before but this is from .gov.uk:

Drug testing

Employers have to have consent if they want to test for drugs. Usually this is when they have a full contractual health and safety policy, which should be in the contract or staff handbook.

Employers should:

limit testing to employees that need to be tested

ensure the tests are random

not single out particular employees for testing unless this is justified by the nature of their jobs

Workers can’t be made to take a drugs test but if they refuse when the employer has good grounds for testing, they may face disciplinary action.

[reddevils]

not single out particular employees for testing unless this is justified by the nature of their jobs

Exactly what I said. It can only be employees in work safety sensitive areas. Non drivers/ HCT/ Indoor staff. Mail centre staff not operating complex machinery would be exempt by employment law. I am a driver so I am just stating facts, not defending myself although I have made my opinion known.

2Horizon has an odd obsession with cannabis. There are multiple drugs people may take and alcohol, you seem obsessed with it.

[2chorizon]

not single out particular employees for testing unless this is justified by the nature of their jobs

Exactly what I said. It can only be employees in work safety sensitive areas. Non drivers/ HCT/ Indoor staff. Mail centre staff not operating complex machinery would be exempt by employment law. I am a driver so I am just stating facts, not defending myself although I have made my opinion known.

2Horizon has an odd obsession with cannabis. There are multiple drugs people may take and alcohol, you seem obsessed with it.

The pro cannabis crowd are extremely fanatic and tedious to argue with, the same as sitting with them whilst they are getting high and more and more tedious as the night goes on, giggling and gurning at stupid stuff like an episode of Beavis & Butthead.

The majority of anti testing on here will be on the weed, i doubt anyone on crystal meth or heroin has chipped in on the thread.

The “card carriers” will be along shortly to claim they have a prescription for medical cannabis, can’t wait to see how that goes down.

[LouBarlow]

not single out particular employees for testing unless this is justified by the nature of their jobs

Exactly what I said. It can only be employees in work safety sensitive areas. Non drivers/ HCT/ Indoor staff. Mail centre staff not operating complex machinery would be exempt by employment law. I am a driver so I am just stating facts, not defending myself although I have made my opinion known.

2Horizon has an odd obsession with cannabis. There are multiple drugs people may take and alcohol, you seem obsessed with it.

The pro cannabis crowd are extremely fanatic and tedious to argue with, the same as sitting with them whilst they are getting high and more and more tedious as the night goes on, giggling and gurning at stupid stuff like an episode of Beavis & Butthead.

The majority of anti testing on here will be on the weed, i doubt anyone on crystal meth or heroin has chipped in on the thread.

The “card carriers” will be along shortly to claim they have a prescription for medical cannabis, can’t wait to see how that goes down.

I wouldn’t want anyone under the influence of either cannabis or alcohol being at work either but last time I checked these are not new substances so how have we ever coped before now without pissing in a cup for testing? If anyone has any evidence or stats of increased instances of RM employees being caught under the influence then i might at least accept that it is something that should be clamped down on.

[2chorizon]

not single out particular employees for testing unless this is justified by the nature of their jobs

Exactly what I said. It can only be employees in work safety sensitive areas. Non drivers/ HCT/ Indoor staff. Mail centre staff not operating complex machinery would be exempt by employment law. I am a driver so I am just stating facts, not defending myself although I have made my opinion known.

2Horizon has an odd obsession with cannabis. There are multiple drugs people may take and alcohol, you seem obsessed with it.

The pro cannabis crowd are extremely fanatic and tedious to argue with, the same as sitting with them whilst they are getting high and more and more tedious as the night goes on, giggling and gurning at stupid stuff like an episode of Beavis & Butthead.

The majority of anti testing on here will be on the weed, i doubt anyone on crystal meth or heroin has chipped in on the thread.

The “card carriers” will be along shortly to claim they have a prescription for medical cannabis, can’t wait to see how that goes down.

I wouldn’t want anyone under the influence of either cannabis or alcohol being at work either but last time I checked these are not new substances so how have we ever coped before now without pissing in a cup for testing? If anyone has any evidence or stats of increased instances of RM employees being caught under the influence then i might at least accept that it is something that should be clamped down on.

There is significant evidence that drug & alcohol abuse has shot up dramatically since the pandemic alongside an explosion in mental health issues.

[Tman]

but last time I checked these are not new substances so how have we ever coped before now without pissing in a cup for testing?

Things change. Vehicles never had safety glass fitted, seat belts weren't fitted or compulsory, motorbike riders never had to wear helmets etc etc but they do now. You think rules and regulations applicable to employee safety can stay the same merely because "we never used to do it like that"?
More nonsense. I await your usual pejorative reply.