Stargate co-founder Matt Bowden is concerned by the announcement from Environmental Science and Research that the Crown Research Institute is now offering urine tests for some synthetic cannabinoids.

“Employers should focus on whether or not an employee is impaired at work, or a danger to themselves and others, rather than worrying about whether an employee has recently drunk alcohol or used a legal high,” said Mr Bowden.

Mr Bowden said employers and employees should remember that synthetic cannabinoids are a legal substance, and would not therefore automatically be covered by a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

“Employers should also remember that they should not randomly drug test their employees unless those employees work in safety-sensitive jobs. Employees should only ask for drug tests if an accident or near miss has occurred, or an employer has reasonable grounds to believe an employee is impaired.”

Mr Bowden said that employees have a responsibility to their employer to perform their work to the required standard, particularly if they work in a safety-sensitive job.

“Don’t show up to work drunk or high, no matter what substance you are using. You are putting yourself and others at risk, and your employer may be entitled to take disciplinary action against you.”

Mr Bowden said that employers had every right to crack down hard on employees whose use of alcohol and other legal highs put others at risk at work or prevented the employees from doing their jobs properly.

“But testing urine to find out what good, hardworking employees have been doing in the weekend? Don’t take the piss.”

ENDS

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