Alcohol and substance misuse

• You are responsible for ensuring your own behaviour and work performance remains appropriate whilst engaged in College activity and is not affected by  alcohol consumption or substance misuse.
• If you suspect, or know, that you have an alcohol, or substance-related problem you should seek professional help at an early stage to avoid the problem becoming worse. You may also choose to confidentially refer yourself to the College’s Occupational Health.
• You should inform your line manager if you suspect that another member of staff is under the influence of an aforementioned substance whilst engaged in a College activity that could result in accident or danger to either the member of staff or other staff.
• You should familiarise yourself and comply with any Departmental/School/Institute/Division policy that prohibits consumption of alcohol or being under the influence of alcohol during working hours.
• You must not bring or use illegal substances on College premises under any circumstance.
• You should notify your line manager if you are taking any prescribed medication that could affect your ability to work safely.

• They may seek confidential advice from HR or Occupational Health prior to speaking with you.
• They may arrange a private 1-2-1 meeting with you.
• Discuss their concerns in a sensitive, non-judgemental way.  Your line manager's concern is for your well-being and, where applicable, to determine what help and support can be given to support you through this.
• If your line manager suspects that you are under the influence of alcohol at work or your performance is acutely impaired through the consumption of alcohol or substances you will not be permitted to continue working that day due to incapacity and will be required to leave the College premises.
• With your safety in mind, your line manager will determine whether or not there is a requirement for you to be accompanied home.
• On your return to work your line manager will arrange to see you to discuss this with you.

Your line manager

If you disclose to your line manager that you have a dependency /addiction they will be supportive and can refer you to Occupational Health with your consent and inform you about other organisations who can provide advice and support.

Human Resources

Your HR representative can provide advice and guidance on what support the College can offer. 

Staff Supporters
College staff who are trained volunteers and on hand to provide confidential and positive assistance when you need information and guidance and support. Find out about the Staff Supporters.

Occupational Health

Advice and support regarding your situation can be sought from Occupational Health.  You can make a self-referral for an appointment with an OH Adviser.  Should you decide to do this, your discussions with Occupational Health are confidential and cannot be shared with your line manager.

It is hoped that you would feel at ease disclosing your dependency/addiction to your line manager.  With your consent, your line manager can refer you to Occupational Health. 

Confidential Care – Employee Assistance Provider

The College’s independent Employee Assistance Provider can provide confidential assistance regarding alcohol /drug dependency (telephone: 0800 085 4764 or log into their website using the User ID: Imperial and Password: College) to access confidential advice and support.

The College will be as supportive as possible to all staff; however there may be occasions where the circumstances are such that the situation may be dealt with under the provisions of the Disciplinary Policy rather than under the Alcohol and Substance Misuse Policy. Should you not be willing to comply with suggested treatment or should the alcohol and/or substance misuse continue, you will be subject to the College’s Disciplinary Policy.

As the line manager you should seek advice from Human Resources if you suspect that a member of your staff may have an alcohol/substance misuse problem on how to support them with this issue.  In addition, you are required:

•  To ensure policy compliance
•  To inform members of staff which roles have been designated as ‘dry roles’ within your section
•  To ensure that members of staff achieve and maintain acceptable levels of conduct and performance
•  Reinforce to members of staff the requirement for appropriate behaviour at College related social events
•  Refer members of staff for assessment or help to Occupational Health where required following the member of staff consent
•  Provide members of staff with support and adjustment to facilitate recovery as far as reasonably practical following advice from OH and HR.

If you suspect that a member of staff is under the influence of alcohol or a substance, you should seek guidance from Human Resources.

It is your responsibility to discuss with the member of staff if their behaviour, performance or absence indicates a possible problem with alcohol/substance misuse. This should be done in a sensitive, non-judgemental way.  Your main concern should be for the well-being of the member of staff and what help and support can be given to deal with this matter.  You should prepare yourself for the fact that the member of staff may not acknowledge or admit that they have a problem.

•  Before the meeting, prepare a script of what you wish to discuss
•  Find a private room to hold your discussion
•  Be factual and provide specific examples of your concern
•  If  you can smell alcohol on the individual's breath, it may be appropriate for you to enquire if they have been drinking
•  Depending on the circumstances, it may well be appropriate for you to ask if they have taken anything
•  You should ask the individual concerned if they are alright and let them know that you have concerns over their well-being
•  If you suspect that a member of staff is under the influence of alcohol at work or their performance is acutely impaired through the consumption of alcohol or substances you should send them home.  With their safety in mind, you should decide whether or not there is a requirement for them to be accompanied home
• On their return to work you must arrange to see them to discuss the situation with them

Human Resources

If you do suspect that there is an alcohol or substance misuse problem involving a member of your staff you should contact your HR representative to inform them of the situation.

Your HR representative will provide you with advice and guidance on how to manage the situation. 

Occupational Health

You can contact Occupational Health to obtain advice on managing a member of staff who may have alcohol dependency or substance addiction.  If following a discussion with a member of staff they consent to seeing Occupational Heath, you can make a referral.  Occupational Health can advise on fitness to work and help ensure that any underlying health issues, i.e. alcohol dependency or substance misuse which have an impact on a member of staff’s ability to carry out their work, are effectively managed. 

Confidential Care Managerial Advice Line

The College’s independent Employee Assistance Provider can provide confidential support/advice on addictions/drug dependency (telephone: 0800 085 3805 or login on their website).

The College will be as supportive as possible to the individual; however there may be situations where the circumstances are such that the situation may be dealt with under the provisions of the Disciplinary policy rather than under the Alcohol and Substance Misuse Policy.  Should the individual not be willing to comply with suggested treatment or should the alcohol and/or substance misuse continue, Human Resources will provide the necessary advice.  

Al-Anon 
61 Great Dover Street
London 32-36
SE1 4YF
London
Tel. 020 7403 0888

Alcohol Concern
Waterbridge House, Loman Street, E1 0EE
Tel. 020 7928 7377

Alcoholics Anonymous
PO Box 1
Stonebow House
Stonebow
York
YO1 2NJ
Tel. 020 7352 3001

Institute of Alcohol Studies
Alliance House, 12 Caxton Street, London, SW1H 0QS
Tel. 020 7222 5880

Substance misuse

FRANK 
Tel. 0800 77 66 00, Text 82111

Narcotics Anonymous
Tel. 0845 373 3366

Adfam
Tel. 020 7553 7640

Confidential Care
Tel.0800 085 4764

Health and Safety Executive