Employees and alcohol: working under the influence

How to determine if an employee is under the influence

Labour legislation does not specify the symptoms to determine whether an employee is under the influence of alcohol.  Therefore it is vital to implement an alcohol policy in the workplace.  Employees can also be tested for alcohol during working hours, but only if this is stipulated in their employment contracts or in an alcohol policy, or if the employee has given his/her permission.

In general, employers can consider the following symptoms in order to determine whether an employee is under the influence of alcohol:

• Red and bloodshot eyes with enlarged pupils;
• Slurred and incoherent speech;
• Change in behaviour;
• Staggering, i.e. the employee is disoriented;
• Delayed reaction and  coordination;
• Breath smells like alcohol.

How to act when an employee is under the influence:

• Call the employee aside, preferably to an office.  Ensure that a witness is present.
• Determine whether the employee is under the influence.  Request the employee to blow into an alcohol tester.  If you do not have such a device, you can take the employee to a physician for blood tests to determine his/her alcohol level.
• If none of these methods are available, or if the employee refuses to give his/her cooperation and permission, it is vital to record his/her behaviour.  Ask witnesses to also record their observations, which must be in writing.
• Send the employee home for the rest of the day, without pay.
• Follow the correct procedure as per your disciplinary code.  Keep in mind that the sanction given must be appropriate in relation to the type of work performed by the employee.

Disciplinary hearing

If a disciplinary hearing is held, it is important to follow the correct procedure, to ensure fair procedures and substantive fairness. In labour legislation the burden of proof weighs lighter than in criminal cases. Therefore the employer only has to prove on a balance of probabilities that the employee was under the influence of alcohol during working hours. During the disciplinary hearing all witnesses that observed the symptoms must be present to testify. Alcohol and drug offenses in the workplace are very serious offences and are the employer’s responsibility to address. If an accident occurs in the workplace and the employee was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the employer will be held responsible if he/she failed to act against such an employee. To maintain discipline in the workplace, it must be applied consistently. Clear rules in the workplace are paramount in creating a working environment with limited conflict and increased productivity.

Alcohol abuse is a social problem common amongst farm workers. When an employee is found guilty of being under the influence during working hours and admits to having a problem, it is the duty of the employer to establish if the cause of the substance abuse problem is related to working conditions in any way. If so, the employer should review the conditions if necessary. Furthermore the employer must assist the employee to undergo counselling and make time available for rehabilitation. This can be seen as unpaid leave without placing the employee’s position in jeopardy. Alcoholism is widely accepted as a disease and should be treated as such.

An alcohol policy

A policy informs employees of the rule/s in respect of a certain topic. The employer puts these rules in place in order to ensure the smooth and efficient running of his/her business operations. Policies are not underwritten by labour legislation, but define the employer’s own rules, which must be reasonable, for the workplace.

The aim of an alcohol policy is to ensure that all employees are aware of the rules in terms of alcohol in the workplace and that corrective and progressive discipline is applied. The policy should be clear and stipulate the test procedure, e.g. a breathalyzer test for alcohol or a urine test for drugs. Through this policy the employer can also acquire the employee’s consent to undergo these tests. Alcohol and drug offenses in the workplace are very serious offences and are the employer’s responsibility to address.

How to implement a policy:

• Have a meeting with all the employees to discuss the policy.  Take note to complete a signed attendance register to prove that employees are aware of the policy.
• Circulate the policy via e-mail or per hand – take note to have proof of receipt.
• Display the policy on a communal notice board accessible to all employees, e.g. in a canteen, changing rooms, etc. where employees are sure to see it.
  It is important that the employer must be able to prove that the employees are aware of the policy, especially when the employer intends to take disciplinary action.

According to the American Council for Drug Education:

• Nearly 3 out of every 4 substance abusers are employed;
• Substance abusers are five times more likely than other workers to injure themselves or co-workers and cause 40 percent of all industrial fatalities;
• Substance abusers raise costs and reduce profits;
• Substance abusers are also ten times more likely to miss work;
• Substance abusers are five times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim;
• Substance abusers are 33% less productive.