Smelling Alcohol On Member Of Staff

[Denisec4502]

I have smelt alcohol on a member of our Driving team recently.... and other colleagues have as well. I am calling him in tomorrow ......do I need proof that others can smell it as well or can I just take the keys off of him and tell him to go home, then go through disciplinary procedure?

[woofgang]

What does your alcohol policy say will happen? What does your disciplinary process say will happen?

[Denisec4502]

Obviously as a driver the alcohol policy is NO alcohol. Just wondering if I accuse him of smelling of drink tomorrow... do I have to have another member of staff confirm that they can smell it too?

[wolf63]

Your problem would be that smelling of drink does not prove that he has been drinking.

[woofgang]

No on the spot breath testing for cause or randomly in your policies? If there isn't, how will the disciplinary process work? You (or a thousand witnesses) say you smell alcohol. Accused denies it, or provides a believable reason for the smell on his breath, no other evidence, no disciplinary action.

[Denisec4502]

Why.......what else could it be then ?

[ummmm]

He might have been drinking the night before but would still pass a test.

[Jackdaw33]

Certain medicines, mouthwashes &c.

[woofgang]

off the top of my head, you were mistaken, driver has used mouthwash, eaten peardrops, has certain illnesses, you and other accusers have got a grudge against this particular driver.....shall I go on?

[woofgang]

have you got no required blood alcohol maximum?

[AlwaysConfused]

if you have smelt alcohol on a member of your driving team 'recently', why oh why have you left it until now to deal with it? This should be dealt with immediately, not a few day later.

[Denisec4502]

He is a really good driver. Smelt alcohol at the end of his shift on Friday 4pm... he is not back on shift until Wednesday. So he has NOT been driving since I smelt it ...thank you #always confused !

[Prudie]

The fact is if you are going to do this, involving disciplinary processes, appeals etc etc you MUST have a positive test of some form, you can't do it on smell - unless you wanted to do it completely informally by a word in his ear with no further action taken.

[Denisec4502]

Thanks for the advice. I think a memo to ALL staff reminding them of our Drugs and Alcohol policy and monitor the situation..

[Gavmacp]

We had a similar situation where I used to work, though not aware of what happened or the lady involved. Manager sent a copy of our drug and alcohol policy to every member of staff.

[AlwaysConfused]

you should've grabbed him at the end of his shift, when you smelt the alcohol. If you smelt it later in the day, it's possible he has been drinking on the job. You can't overlook a situation just because someone is a good colleague, good driver, or bails you out by doing overtime or whatever the exccuse may be. That's your companies reputation and peoples lives at risk. Sorry to sound harsh, but that's reality.

[AlwaysConfused]

Also, have your drivers been briefed on the new drug driving law?

[Denisec4502]

Yes I agree easilyconfused......have spoke to the Police and they are going to do a "random" breath test on Wednesday morning once he boards the vehicle at the start of the day ...if any alcohol is registered ..even if it is not over the limit it is still a Gross Misconduct as per our Policy for any alcohol to show on the reading.