Cuz if you are then please don't tell me you have never sat in a hotel room minus 4 hours to report haveing a bevvy or two. Fact that the you (or I for that matter) have never been 'caught' doesnt give us the God given right to start passing willy nilly judgement on others.
Yes, I am subject to the same act as you concerning transport workers and alcohol and your statement on 'having a bevvy or two' four hours before reporting beggars belief. You have just admitted being under the influence of alcohol when reporting for duty but have 'never been caught'. What about the duty of care you have to your passengers/other crew members.
Dealing with an employee with a possible alcohol problem
- Employees with a drink problem have the same rights to confidentiality and support as they would if they had any other medical or psychological condition.
- Disciplinary action should be a last resort. A court may find a dismissal unfair if an employer has made no attempt to help an employee whose work problems are related to drinking alcohol.
- The cost of recruiting and training a replacement may be greater than the cost of allowing someone time off to obtain expert help.
- Many people with an alcohol problem are able in time to regain full control over their drinking and return to their previous work performance.
- It may be very difficult for people to admit to themselves or others that their drinking is out of control. They need to know that you will treat their drinking problem as a health problem rather than an immediate cause for dismissal or disciplinary action.
- If employees’ drinking is a matter of concern, they should be encouraged to seek help from their GP or a specialist alcohol agency.
The above is from the HSE.
It is from the HSE. It is document of guidance not a matter of law. Your company Drugs and Alcohol policy states what your company requires and the penalties for not complying with it. My company states that a positive test of 1-5 mg/100ml is ignored as a natural level of alcohol may exist in the blood. 6-19mg/100ml is a final written warning along with help and support. 20+mg/100ml and you are down the road, no questions, no pensions, no nothing.
The onus is on the employee to seek help for a drugs or alcohol problem
before it shows in a test not crying after the fact.