Wrexham Council Look to Introduce Alcohol & Drug Testing For Staff

Wrexham Council’s Executive Board is to consider the introduction of alcohol and drug testing for its’ staff.

In a report due to go before the Executive Board on Tuesday 10th November it is proposed that members approve the revised Alcohol and Substance Misuse Policy to include ‘for cause’ testing on staff. This would be introduced in March 2016.

Along with ‘for cause’ testing, it is also recommended that testing on a randomly selected sample of 2% of all Council employees is initiated six months after the introduction of ‘for cause’ testing and that a review of the testing for both ‘for cause’ and that ‘random’ testing is carried out after a full 12 months of implementation (August 2017) to ensure it remains effective, proportionate and justified.

The proposals have been put forward ‘to support the council’s existing policy and procedure for Alcohol and Substance Misuse in the Workplace’.

Details in the Executive Board report state: “Consultation with various internal stakeholders has been conducted by the Policy Working Group on proposals for the introduction of screening/testing for alcohol and drugs in the workplace.

“The feedback from that consultation process on the proposed changes demonstrated support for the introduction of ‘for cause’ testing although there was only limited support for extending this to wholly ‘random’ testing.”

Wrexham County Borough Council was recently recognised by the Welsh Government for its positive health promotion across the workforce that recently resulted in it receiving a Gold award for its Corporate Health Challenge.

The introduction of alcohol and drug testing is in support of the Council’s work to educate and encourage those who suspect or know they have an alcohol or drug related problem, to seek help voluntarily.

Lead Member for Organisation – Corporate Services and Health & Safety said, Cllr Bob Dutton said: “As an authority we have a duty to provide a safe working environment for all employees and to ensure our activities and services are carried out safely to prevent harm to our employees and others.

“In order to fulfil its obligations the Council must pursue a policy which secures a healthy and safe environment for all employees”.

Cllr Dutton said that the council would generally take a welfare-based approach when dealing with individuals having drug/alcohol related problems.

He added: “The Council will render all reasonable assistance in an effort to correct that problem. However individuals testing positive must be aware that in having chosen to report for duty with substances in their system they are exposing themselves and others to an unacceptable level of risk”.