News

Drug Testing in the Workplace As a Health and Well-being Issue

26 May, 2015

Compared to a decade or so ago, workplace drug testing is already commonplace these days. Yet the practice remains a touchy issue for many people, with claims of unfair dismissal or any other litigious reason attached to practically every single sacking that involves drugs or alcohol. In most cases, workplace drug testing is often seen by employers as an instrument for terminating employees who fail them. There are camps, however, that believe workplace drug testing should be treated as a health and well-being issue.

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Drug Testing in the Workplace of APS Employees Can Be Tricky

25 May, 2015

Workplace drug tests are now commonly conducted across a number of industries with safety-critical environments. Lately, there has been talk of implementing workplace drug testing programs among all employees of the Australian Public Service. This can prove to be tricky, judging by the opinion given by legal expert John Wilson in an article for The Canberra Times.

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Workplace Drug and Alcohol Issues Cost Aussie Businesses $6bn A Year

22 May, 2015

This website has been repeatedly stressing that businesses the world over lose billions due to workplace drug and alcohol issues. To see how much businesses closer to home are faring, let’s take a look at an article by Yolanda Redrup for Smart Company that says workplace drug and alcohol issues are costing Australian businesses $6 billion a year in lost productivity.

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Ex-Paramedic Admits to Being High on Ice While On the Job

21 May, 2015

Ice use has indeed become more common among people who drive vehicles for a living, even those who sit behind the wheel of an ambulance and attend to patients as paramedics. A Tasmanian woman confirmed as much when she admitted to being high on ice while driving an ambulance and basically performing her job as a paramedic, says a report by Airlie Ward for ABC News.

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Cigarette Breaks Make Workers Work Four Less Hours a Week

20 May, 2015

https://au.fotolia.com/id/68355921

If your place of business allows smoke breaks in the building, here’s something to think about: a recent study reveals that compared to workers who don’t smoke, employees who sneak out for quick puffs work four less hours every week.

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Presence of Synthetic Amphetamines Suspected in Workout Supplements

19 May, 2015

https://au.fotolia.com/id/67773434

A report by Amy Corderoy for The Sydney Morning Herald says some workout supplements being sold in Australia may contain synthetic amphetamines and other stimulants.

According to the Department of Health, much of the concern focuses on Acacia rigidula, an ingredient found in many health supplements today. Research has shown that Acacia rigidula actually contains beta-methylphenylethylamine, a synthetic amphetamine which has never been tested on humans. With no existing proof that it’s safe to use, it is deemed a risk to human health.

In addition, the presence of synthetic amphetamines in health supplements also means their sale could be in breach of rules covering the approval for such substances by the NSW Food Authority.

Click here to read the story in full.

Cops Say Ice-using Drivers Worse Problem Than Drink Drivers

18 May, 2015

Drink drivers have long been a problem everywhere, but in Western Australia’s the South West part of, drivers under the influence of ice while behind the wheel are, according to local police, are becoming a bigger problem that those who drive drunk.

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FWC Rules Unfair Dismissal For Worker Sacked For Alcohol Intoxication

15 May, 2015

The Fair Work Commission has ordered an employer sued for unfair dismissal to compensate a worker sacked for alcohol intoxication mainly because of its unclear drug and alcohol policy.

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