Alcohol and other Drugs in the Workplace – One day training for Managers, Supervisors and Key Staff ©
One in ten Irish workers experienced at least one or more negative consequences due to co-workers who were heavy drinkers, These included the ability to do their work being negatively affected, having to work extra hours and having an accident or close call at work due to co-workers drinking habits.
The impact of a co-workers drinking can affect a worker’s job satisfaction; create tension and the need to cover–up for problems of colleague’s who are heavy drinkers, in particularly among young adults. (Hope 2014) Alcohol and other drug use not only risk the health, safety and well-being of co- workers, but also the productivity, safety and well-being of the workplace in general.
Recognising the potential harmful impact that problematic alcohol and other drug use can have in the workplace, the Alcohol Forum delivers one day training for Managers, Supervisors and key staff to help them respond effectively to this sensitive and complex issue and compliance to Health, Safety and Welfare at Work.
This training is designed in user friendly formats that presents evidenced informed knowledge in a practical and useful way and provides participants with an introduction to Constructive Conversation skills. Knowledge and information required to implement a workplace Alcohol and substance (Intoxicant) misuse policy will be discussed. The training compliments existing organisational managerial training and policy on performance management.
This Alcohol and other Drug training whilst focused on the workplace has the added benefit of being life relevant to all trainees as individuals and family members.
Outline for a One Day Training
“Understanding Drug Types and Effects & exploring our Attitudes to Alcohol & Other Drugs”
“The credibility, acceptance and success of any workplace policy is dependent on the attitudes and actions of supervisors, managers, safety personnel, employee representatives, and other key staff within the organisation responsible for policy implementation” Pidd,K et al (2013)
Learning outcomes:
- Have an appreciation of the different types of substances commonly used in society
- Have insights into how personal attitudes on alcohol and other drugs can influence our thinking
- Have an understanding of the reasons why people use/misuse alcohol and other drugs and the impact of addiction on the individual, family and workplace
- Explain the term ‘Standard Drink’ and the low-risk guidelines for alcohol consumption
Policy
Informing employees about policy is necessary to ensure employees understand how they can both implement and comply with it.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognise the evidence supporting effective Alcohol and other Drug ( Intoxicant Misuse) workplace policies
- Have detailed knowledge and understanding of the Supervisors / Managers role in implementing the requirements of Health and Safety & Welfare at work Act 2005; The Employment Equality Act 1998 -2004 and the HSE’s policy suite relevant to Alcohol and other Drug ( Intoxicant Misuse) Workplace training including case law in this area.
- List the suite of organizational policies that support the Supervisor/ Managers role in managing Constructive Conversations within the context of this training
“Intervene or Ignore” Responding to Alcohol and Other Drugs in the Workplace
“A few carefully chosen words delivered slowly and respectfully, are worth more than many mouthfuls of busy talk” Miller & Rollnick (1991)
Learning Outcomes
- Define the role of the Supervisor/Manager in Identifying Alcohol and other drug work performance issues
- Understand how language plays an integral part in motivating change
- Be able to engage in a Constructive Conversation (pre discipline)
- Be able to analyse the key components of an effective (informal pre discipline) Constructive Conversation through the use of a case study and a situational specific role play.’
Selected References
Miller, W. R. and Rollnick, S. (1991) Motivational interviewing: Preparing people to change addictive behavior. New York: Guilford Press, 1991
Ken Pidd & Ann Roche (2013) Policy Talk: Workplace alcohol and other drug programs: What is good practice? National Centre for Education and Training on Addictions Flinders Australia
