Drug and alcohol policy

[the red engine]

Hi y'all.

I need a bit of advice regarding the above, drug and alcohol policy.

I have a colleague in a non-safety critical role, on board catering who drunkenly let slip they had a night out involving taking drugs. They admit they regret it but that's not the point
I'm apparently the only person they had told but I'm annoyed to be brought into this in the first place.
My question basically is how would you react? I'm torn between informing management or not and could use the advice of others

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bletchleyite]

If you report the matter I would expect them to lose their job; for right or wrong the railway generally operates a consistent policy on drugs and alcohol for all its employees.

Your decision would need to take into account whether you consider that is the optimal outcome or not.

 

[DarloRich]

If you report the matter I would expect them to lose their job; for right or wrong the railway generally operates a consistent policy on drugs and alcohol for all its employees.

Your decision would need to take into account whether you consider that is the optimal outcome or not.

Rightly (there is no wrongly about it - it is quite clear that the rules apply to all regardless of role) if they fail the tests.

You should, obviously, tell the employer forthwith. Sadly they have now put you in a position of guilty knowledge. If they have an incident whilst on duty, if they are tested and found to fail and it comes out ( which it will) that they told you, then you will be in a disciplinary hearing pdq and out of the door behind them.

That said only you can decide what you think is right. I don't envy you.

 

[the red engine]

Yes, sorry I didn't mention I'm aware it would result in a drug screening taking place, and instant dismissal and I doubt the union would help them.

My problem is the lack of respect shown. We all respect the industry enough to not put that crap in our body's , and it is a very sought after position for entry level onto the railway.

It's not my job however to enforce the policy, and I don't like the idea of ruining this persons job prospects based on what they say was a one off.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Rightly (there is no wrongly about it - it is quite clear that the rules apply to all regardless of role) if they fail the tests.

The "wrongly" referred to the (slightly OT) point I have made in the past, which is that I personally think it would be more sensible to define standards based on the actual safety-criticality of the role (e.g. a member of admin staff who never goes "rail side" need, to me, not to have any stricter standards than any other office job). However, in terms of the contract of employment that was signed, it is indeed "rightly", and you agree to it when you take the job, and if you don't like it you don't take the job.

 

[DarloRich]

The "wrongly" referred to the (slightly OT) point I have made in the past, which is that I personally think it would be more sensible to define standards based on the actual safety-criticality of the role (e.g. a member of admin staff who never goes "rail side" need, to me, not to have any stricter standards than any other office job). However, in terms of the contract of employment that was signed, it is indeed "rightly".

The point is that there is a common standard you all agree to regardless of role and is designed to ensure a safety first approach throughout.

Also that admin task might (will) have a direct impact on someone on the ground somewhere. The implications for them in cocking something up could be catastrophic.

 

[paepo]

Personally I'm not interested and never have been interested in drugs. I like a pint at the weekend (if shifts allow for that and the following day off to sober up before driving the following day).
My view is that if he's not safety critical then you'd be best to forget what was said and not put yourself in the potential predicament of colleagues labelling you as a "grass". People hold grudges and you could well ostracize yourself from workmates if they deem what you've done to be wrong. I've seen people that have fallen foul of the drugs and alcohol policy and it was completely their own fault. They were in safety critical roles yet were drinking 5 hours before their shift and were reported by a colleague. The colleague isn't spoken to at the depot by the majority of the staff as the person who was sacked was well liked.
I'm not saying this will happen but considering what I've seen it shows how doing the right thing to maintain others safety can have a dire effect on your own life. Not only is he not spoken to but nobody obliges him with shift swaps or cover any more.
One has to wonder what kind of idiot mouths off about taking drugs to a colleague when they work in an industry that has strict rules regarding them!

 

[ainsworth74]

You've also go to consider that if you didn't say anything and they have an incident in which someone or some people are injured or killed and it turns out that the 'one off' wasn't a 'one off' would you be able to live with knowing that you could have said something but didn't?

 

[paepo]

You said they "drunkenly told you" are we to assume that you yourself were drinking as it was a night out? If so then I'd say you're off the hook if this person claimed that they'd told you (can't see why they'd ever do that anyway) as you can deny all knowledge, or at least could have before putting it on here.
You still have to wrestle with your conscience over whether you believe them that this was a "one off" and if you could deal with the ramifications of their possible habitual drug use causing injury or worse to someone when you could have prevented it.
What their contract says is black and white but I don't see it quite so clearly and I'm glad it's not me that's in your situation if I'm honest.

 

[The Snap]

Given they are in a non-safety critical role, I personally wouldn't be grassing on my friend, but would remind them of the D&A rules and suggest that other colleagues may not be so forgiving.

I work on the railway and can be in a safety critical role if required. I, like everyone who works on the railway, am constantly reminded of D&A rules, so to fall foul of them is just down right stupid. No sympathy from me for those who fail D&A tests I'm afraid.

 

[A-driver]

I've only ever known one colleague to turn up worried about possibly being a bit hungover. I simply told him (he hadn't booked on yet) to go home and phone in sick. And never to even consider booking on if unsure due to drink or drugs again.

I think telling the employer may be a bit harsh bit telling him not to book on until sure he is clean may be an idea-even if it means going sick for a week.