Australians Think their Drinking Level is Only Average
Surveys and reports almost always mention Australians as having a heavy drinking culture, but a new survey reveals that many Australians believe their drinking level is only average.
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Over 30 Arrests Made in Mining Town Drug Raids
A long-running investigation into drug trafficking in a Central Queensland mining town has resulted in the arrest of more than 30 people, according to a report by The Daily Telegraph.
100,000 Victorian Drivers to be Tested for Ice Every Year
Approximately 100,000 drivers in Victoria are going to be tested for methamphetamine use every year as part of the government’s crackdown on drivers who drive while impaired by the drug popularly known as “Ice”. (more…)
Drug Testing in the Workplace Likely to Go Up
Let’s face it — there is a significant degree of resistance to drug testing in the workplace. More often than not, this opposition to workplace drug testing revolves around privacy issues. Many workers claim that drug tests that rely on drawing blood, urine, or even saliva samples are a clear invasion of their privacy, and they are more likely to file cases against their employers because of these tests.
However, if the increasing incidences of workplace drug use and addiction are any indication, workplace drug testing is likely to increase as employers are becoming more determined to ensure the safety of everyone in the workplace.
Read MoreNew Drug Testing Procedure in the Workplace
Much of the opposition to workplace drug testing is centred on the invasive nature of blood tests and, to a lesser extent, saliva tests. Citing privacy laws, many employees oppose drug testing in the workplace, and in some cases, even bring their employers to court to dispute anything that results from those drug tests.
However, with the advent of a new drug testing method in the workplace, invasiveness and privacy may no longer be an issue that employees guilty of substance abuse at work can hide behind as far as workplace drug tests are concerned.
Read MoreTaking Control of Drug Policies in the Workplace
Most companies already have workplace drug policies in place, and that is a good thing. However, when you look at many of these drug policies in the workplace, most of its stipulations are mostly focused on threats of penalties, suspensions, and in many cases, dismissal of violators from their jobs. Over the years, thousands of workers all over the world have been terminated for breaching their workplace drug policies.
How to Effectively Deal with Alcohol and Drug Use of Employees
There is no question that employees who use alcohol and drugs can cause serious problems in the workplace. Among those problems are reduced productivity, absenteeism, tardiness, increased medical and workers’ compensation bills, and diminished overall job performance. In some cases, employees under the influence of alcohol and drug use may behave unpredictably and make the workplace more dangerous, not only to themselves, but also to everyone who work there. No one is spared from the effects of alcohol and drug use of employees. Colleagues, managers, and employers themselves are affected in one way or another.
Dealing with alcohol and drug use of employees is primarily the responsibility of the employer. To manage this problem, an employer should have a clearly written alcohol and drug abuse policy in place.
Read MoreFlawed Work Safety Policies Lead to Employee’s Death
A report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau on its investigation of a 2012 road-rail vehicle accident that killed an employee concludes that flawed work safety policies were the primary cause of the employee’s death.