Ice Drug Testing on Construction Sites Could Become Mandatory
Mandatory ice drug testing on Australian construction sites could become the norm, with no less than labour unions spearheading the drive, says an article on Shanghai Daily.
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Sacked Drunk Employee at Office Party Unfair, Rules FWC
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has ruled as unfair the sacking of an employee who displayed drunken behaviour and sexually harassed colleagues at an office party where unlimited alcohol was served, says Anna Patty in a report for The Sydney Morning Herald.
The Effects of Alcohol Abuse on Business
An article by Mitrefinch Australia for the Ferret website spells out the adverse effects of alcohol abuse on business.
Quoting data from Drug Info Australia, the article states that the losses suffered by Australian businesses from lost productivity due to drug and alcohol abuse is pegged at $6 billion a year. It also says that about half of the Australian workforce drinks at levels that are harmful.
When a worker is under the influence of alcohol, their capacity to fulfill their duties in the workplace is significantly diminished. Worse, alcohol intoxication also makes an employee more prone to workplace accidents, which are going to cost employers more in workers compensation, and if the worker decides to file suit, litigation costs, with or without a workplace alcohol policy in place.
Read the full article here.
Read MoreInvestigation Links Senior Politicians to Drug Traffickers
A joint investigation conducted by current affairs TV program Four Corners and Fairfax newspapers has exposed links between the Calabrian Mafia and senior Australian politicians, says an ABC News report.
Of Alcohol and Office Parties
The Sydney Morning Herald just recently featured a rather hilarious article by Brendan Foster about his support of drinking at work parties and a list of things we would sorely miss if and when alcohol does get banned at Christmas parties and the like for good.
Expand Lockout Laws, Says Hospital Exec
The lockout laws that were implemented in Sydney in June 2014 to curb alcohol-related violence in the city’s hotspots have proven effective, and it’s about time they were expanded to benefit other NSW communities experiencing similar problems, says St. Vincent’s Hospital CEO Toby Hall in an article for The Daily Telegraph.
Drinking Socially Can Lead to Alcohol Addiction
If you think that social drinking will never lead to something worse, think again. In an article for The Sydney Morning Herald, Rachel Browne puts the spotlight on a man who started out as a social drinker but ended up losing his job and nearly losing his life because of alcohol addiction.
Drug Dealer Used Emojis to Sell Ecstasy
A report by Kristiane Silva for Brisbane Times says an alleged drug dealer had been using emoji text messaging symbols or “emojis” to sell ecstasy and other drugs.