Impact of Drugs and Alcohol on the Workplace

Curo Aeger Ltd, a training consultancy, is organising a must-attend seminar on February 15, 2006, at Nottinghamís BioCity. Entitled ëChristmas Crackers ñ the hangover can last all year!í, the event is ideal for managing directors, HR directors, occupational health practitioners, trade union reps and anyone else concerned with employee wellbeing and organisational effectiveness.

According to leading alcohol charity Alcohol Concern, alcohol abuse kills someone every 24 minutes and costs the UK around 20 billion a year. The impact on British business is similarly startling, with Alcohol Concern reporting an estimated 3 billion loss every year as a direct consequence of unauthorised staff absences due to alcohol and other forms of substance abuse. The charity also highlights the role of alcohol in accidents and deaths in the workplace. However, the detrimental effect of alcohol misuse on ’UK Plc’ is lesser reported in the media than the harmful effect on individuals.

While many employers frequently turn a blind eye to alcohol and drug misuse, the widespread problem hinders productivity, damages profits, costs jobs and could be affecting the nationís health in ways yet to be fully identified.

Hosting speakers from British Airways, Alcohol Concern, Brachers Solicitors and the Medical Council on Alcohol, Curo Aegerís event at Bio City aims to raise employersí awareness of the workplace implications of this looming social issue. The seminar will provide valuable insights on how to approach the problem and begin to formulate policies that work.

The initial focus will consider the series of unfortunate events that occur during the office party season, when social drinking reaches its annual climax. Verbal abuse, sexual harassment, assault and even serious crimes are just some of the results of excessive drinking - but a workplace setting can also lead to costly employment tribunals and even prosecutions of employers under health and safety legislation. Speakers will present a range of perspectives - from legal, medical and policy, through to the corporate experience of formulating strategies to deal with the problem.

Jerry Hart, managing director of Curo Aeger, says: Some organisations resort to a strong disciplinary code to combat alcohol and drug misuse, although this can indicate a missed opportunity for proactive prevention. As recent research reveals, there is no substitute for sound policies and employee training to ensure everyone knows precisely where they and their employers stand on this vital issue.

Yet formulating and implementing a policy can be a formidable task, as Raj Gakal of British Airways will explain to the seminar audience. He says: Responsible employers can learn from the experience of others. Alcohol and drug awareness is not just for companies involved in transportation and other safety-critical activities. Whatever the nature of your business, alcohol abuse is costing you time, effort, people and profits.