Royal Mail to start drug and alcohol testing?

[Mr Rush]

It's not my fault I'm getting high off all these funny-smelling Specials!

[Barnacle]

It’s quaint that the CWU think stuff can be discussed among themselves and not be shared until they decide to announce it, but they really need to drag themselves into 2024 and realise that there are a zillion places where people will post some info and then it’s out there and it makes the CWU look bad for not keeping members informed.

[broughts]

Already fitted to the new lorries they are buying how it’s going to work with multiple drivers and mouth pieces I don’t know will be interesting

[Pidleypoo]

In what form are these tests mean for take ? I ask because as someone that has regular tests for a chronic illness that some tests are less accurate and more invasive than others.

Be interesting to see just how many people get sent home if this does come in.

Mondays on the sorting frames often stinks of stale alcohol and that includes managers.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

In the UK, employers can conduct random drug and alcohol testing, but certain conditions must be met. The key points include:

Policy: Employers must have a clear written policy that outlines the reasons for testing, the substances being tested, and the procedures involved.

Reasonable Grounds: Testing is generally more acceptable if there are reasonable grounds for suspicion, such as if an employee is exhibiting signs of impairment.

Safety-sensitive Positions: Random testing is more common in safety-sensitive positions, such as in transportation, construction, or healthcare, where impairment could lead to serious accidents or injuries.

Consent: Employees may need to give consent for testing, as it can be seen as an invasion of privacy.

Data Protection: Employers must comply with data protection laws when managing test results, ensuring confidentiality and proper handling of personal data.

Overall, while random testing is permitted, it must be implemented fairly and transparently, complying with relevant laws and regulations.

[Basildon Bond]

...it must be implemented fairly and transparently, complying with relevant laws and regulations.

But "transparently" to RM is to implement everything without mentioning it to us (at an office level) and we'll only know about when walking in in the morning and you spot something different going on. Can't get more "transparent" than that!

[Denman17]

Still waiting for news of the scandal been a while now.

[Barnacle]

In the UK, employers can conduct random drug and alcohol testing, but certain conditions must be met. The key points include:

Policy: Employers must have a clear written policy that outlines the reasons for testing, the substances being tested, and the procedures involved.

Reasonable Grounds: Testing is generally more acceptable if there are reasonable grounds for suspicion, such as if an employee is exhibiting signs of impairment.

Safety-sensitive Positions: Random testing is more common in safety-sensitive positions, such as in transportation, construction, or healthcare, where impairment could lead to serious accidents or injuries.

Consent: Employees may need to give consent for testing, as it can be seen as an invasion of privacy.

Data Protection: Employers must comply with data protection laws when managing test results, ensuring confidentiality and proper handling of personal data.

Overall, while random testing is permitted, it must be implemented fairly and transparently, complying with relevant laws and regulations.

So this is not something the CWU can prevent from being introduced. What they can do though, is ensure that procedure is followed and certain people aren’t unduly targeted.

[Beanyjazz]

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.

From Gov.uk

[twoloops]

All the alcoholics & dope smokers in our office do not drive for RM

[Tman]

As so many employees drive RM vehicles it's amazing that it's taken this long to implement this policy.
The office lawyer may say you don't have to do it, written consent, etc etc but the reality is if they wish to test you, they will, and there'll be no back up from the CWU if you get stroppy and refuse.

[qwerty2]

Start at the top - CEO and his cronies then DO managers

[SpacePhoenix]

As so many employees drive RM vehicles it's amazing that it's taken this long to implement this policy.
The office lawyer may say you don't have to do it, written consent, etc etc but the reality is if they wish to test you, they will, and there'll be no back up from the CWU if you get stroppy and refuse.

RM might suspend anyone who refuses

[Barnacle]

As so many employees drive RM vehicles it's amazing that it's taken this long to implement this policy.
The office lawyer may say you don't have to do it, written consent, etc etc but the reality is if they wish to test you, they will, and there'll be no back up from the CWU if you get stroppy and refuse.

The CWU can’t help you if you refuse to be tested. Why would you refuse?

All the CWU can do is ensure that RM follows proper procedures and doesn’t discriminate or victimise anyone.

[Tman]

Problem there would be proving discrimination or victimisation.
"We believe (s)he was coming in to work while still under the influence of..."
There's not an ET in the country that would overturn that.