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Drug and Alcohol Policy Template in Australia: What To Include

11 August, 2023

An employee agreement and consent to drug and alcohol testing.

A drug and alcohol policy template in Australia should include anything relevant to drug use in your company, such as tolerance and testing. This is important in the workplace so that company policies are in place. The template should include the matters that can be tolerated by the employer and how drug and alcohol use will be treated. Additionally, the template must encompass when and how often an employer conducts drug and alcohol testing.

Furthermore, it indicates what kind of test you are going to conduct whether it is a saliva or blood test, and the like. If you get a positive result, the list of consequences and things you need to do are also mentioned in this document. A list of healthcare professionals will be advised to help with your treatment. This article will present what is drug and alcohol policy template, the steps to create one, and the necessary elements to include.

What a Drug and Alcohol Policy Template in Australia is For

A drug and alcohol policy template in Australia is critical to keeping a safe workplace. It can establish company priorities and helps define the work environment. By laying down rules for drug use, the company signals what is important to them and how they manage safety.

Having this policy protects both the company and its employees. The company gets to decide whether or not drug use happens in the workplace to control safety and efficiency. Employees are kept safe and can work comfortably at the job without worrying about drug use. When everyone accepts and follows the policy, the company’s culture will flourish.

To make the best policy, it is good to use a template. There are recommended things to include in any policy and proper ways to write it. A good legal team can help you write out an effective and comprehensive policy. If your company does not have a legal team, you can request assistance from an outside firm to review your policy and provide recommendations.

Uses and Benefits of Drug and Alcohol Policy

A drug and alcohol policy is necessary and is used in high-risk industries such as construction, mining, aviation or transportation and healthcare. This is important to:

  • Ensure and maintain a safe and healthy working environment.
  • Avoid loss of productivity and turnovers.
  • Raise awareness about the risks and harms of drug and alcohol use at work.
  • Help employers and employees how to deal with issues that may arise.
  • Meet legal responsibilities to ensure the welfare of all employees.
  • Reduce the risks of employees driving or operating dangerous equipment while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

A company meeting

What to Include in a Drug and Alcohol Policy Template in Australia

The drug and alcohol policy template in Australia can be provided to employees by their employers. This is to outline how drug and alcohol use will be treated. Firstly, this may cover the things that are tolerated by the company or employer and those things that are not. Additionally, it contains whether the employer conducts any drug or alcohol testing.

Secondly, it should include the form of the test such as salivablood, or urine. The timing and frequency of the drug and alcohol test should also be added. Moreover, the consequences for a positive drug or alcohol test result.

Lastly, the template should also encompass details of any support like time-off work or a list of suggestions and referrals to relevant treatment providers. This is to help employees recover with the assistance of healthcare professionals. Overall, this document is to inform their employees of how they handle matters or cases that involve drug and alcohol use in the workplace.

How to Tailor to Workplace

Each company and workplace will have its own drug use policy tailored to its needs. An office, for example, is a relatively safe workplace. The policy can reflect this and may, for example, not have a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol. If the business wants to allow employees to have a drink at lunch before returning to work, this is possible.

Some workplaces, however, are less flexible. Something like a warehouse is much more dangerous and should have zero-tolerance policies for alcohol during the workday. Companies that work with sensitive information may be more strict with drug use as well.

A one-on-one session at the office

How to Make a Drug and Alcohol Policy Template in Australia

If your company needs to make a drug and alcohol policy template in Australia, follow these steps for the best results. First, define your vision. Decide what your company’s tolerance will be for drug and alcohol use. Think about safety and productivity, and how you want to handle employees who do not comply.

Next, start writing the policy. Use templates to make the phrasing and sequencing appropriate. Be sure to include things like acceptable tolerance, penalties for transgressions, and testing methods and frequencies. Think about what questions your employees might have, and try to answer them all in the policy.

When you finish writing your policy, be sure to have it reviewed by a legal advisor. They will be able to tell you if it is effective and enforceable. Once they give their approval, distribute it to the company. Ensure that everyone reads and understands it. Having them sign it is a good way to make sure of this. For new employees, have them sign the policy before they start.

Resources

In relation to work health and safety, each state and territory in Australia has their own legislation. In addition to these laws, there are various industries that have their own specific laws when it comes to drug and alcohol issues and concerns in the workplace.

You can find further information about these laws at Safe Work Australia. Sample workplace drug and alcohol policy documents are available on the internet you can use as a reference. There are groups and organisations that could help Australian industries and companies discuss and create a drug and alcohol policy template

Conclusion

Companies that aim to maintain safety in the workplace and reduce risks brought on by drug use may search for a drug and alcohol policy template in Australia. This template outlines the goals, rules, policies, and procedures of the company for detecting possible harms and risks. Employers provide it to their employees for awareness to let them know how they are expected to behave in the company and more.

The policy should explain that one of the company’s goals is to protect its employees from any harm. There are several methods of testing which can happen randomly or by schedule. Additionally, the organisation may want to protect everyone, including customers, suppliers and the public. Overall, this is an acknowledgment and control of the safety and health of both employees and possible contacts that drug and alcohol use in the workplace could threaten.

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