Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Matt Bowden on Briefing About Synthetic Cannabinoids

Statement by Matt Bowden on Briefing About Synthetic Cannabinoids by Environmental Science and Research

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

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.