Smoking policies, drugs and alcohol abuse

Checklist: what your smoking, drug and alcohol abuse policies should cover

In order to make sure that you have effective smoking, drug and alcohol abuse policies, you should:

• make one individual clearly responsible for each policy
• clarify where people can and can't smoke
• explain the policies to all managers and supervisors and make sure they follow them
• communicate the policies to all employees - make sure they understand the rules
• tell employees what support services are available if they have a problem
• explain the consequences of breaking the rules and provide examples of unnacceptable behaviour
• write a clear and reasonable disciplinary procedure which escalates gradually to dismissal for repeated or gross misconduct
• apply your disciplinary procedure consistently and fairly
• encourage feedback from employees and others about how your policies can be improved or better implemented

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Define policies on smoking, drugs and alcohol abuse
• Smoking policies
• Dealing with alcohol abuse
• Dealing with drug abuse
• Manage stress effectively
• Counselling and support
• Checklist: what your smoking, drug and alcohol abuse policies should cover
• Discipline, grievance and dismissal procedures