Can I sack someone for drinking at work? Where do you draw the line between events that happen in the workplace and events outside of work? Is being an alcoholic classed as a disability? What should employers be doing to protect their colleagues from alcohol harm?
These are some of the questions that employers regularly bring to employment solicitor, Anna Schiavetta from Blacks Solicitors LLP in Leeds. We get into the nitty gritty of exactly what the law says about alcohol use in the workplace, and more accurately, what it doesn’t say. It’s so important to have an Alcohol Policy in place that sets out exactly what the rules are in your workplace and the expectations that you have for employees at workplace events. We also discuss the ongoing campaign from Alcohol Change UK which ultimately aims to amend the Equality Act to include ensure people with a history of alcohol dependence are protected from discrimination, which could be a game-changing piece of legislation that would require significant change from current practices by many employers.
There’s no doubt that navigating issues that come up in the workplace in relation to alcohol use can be a minefield, but with expert support from Blacks Solicitors LLP, you’re in safe hands for all your employment law advice.
It’s been a very busy couple of weeks here at Choose Sunrise and there’s a few upcoming events that I’d like to share with you. On Thursday 9th March, I’m collaborating with Stratus Coaching to host a completely free online webinar, "What Are We Going to Do About Dave?". I’ll be exploring the latest data on drinking behaviours and the impact of sweeping emerging workplace issues under the carpet. You’ll leave the session with some best practice tips that you can put in place to help you create an Alcohol Safe WorkplaceTM, without killing the buzz.
I’m also delighted to have been asked to join the CIPD Workplace Wellbeing Conference in London on 1st March 2023 to co-host a session that tackles the taboo topics of suicide and alcohol. I’m teaming up with Abigail Hirshman to deliver an interactive fireside chat where delegates will leave with lots of TNT’s (tiny noticeable things) that they can do differently at work to help eliminate the stigma associated with these topics.
Do you have a story to tell about the workplace drinking culture? I’d love to hear from you, so please visit https://choosesunrise.co.uk/podcasts and complete the Be My Guest form.
If you’d like free HR resources to help you create an alcohol safe workplace, without killing the buzz, head to https://choosesunrise.co.uk/hr-services and sign up for free resources.
Let’s end the stigma, because nobody should feel afraid to ask for help with alcohol use.
