Drugs & Alcohol in the Workplace: Is your business protected with a policy?

A solid drug-and-alcohol policy is one of the best tools for employers to cope with drugs and alcohol in the work place. Implementing a policy clears up any uncertainty about your company's standards of performance, attendance and security.

Download your free Drug & Alcohol Policy Template, contact your Business Resources team at 1-888-234-2232 or msman@cfib.ca.

Laws specific to legalization of recreational cannabis

With the legalization of cannabis, it is important to be familiar with the rules and regulations for cannabis use. Check out SafeWork Manitoba-Cannabis and Health Canada’s Cannabis in Canada to learn more about cannabis laws and impairment. 

How to deal with drugs & alcohol in the workplace

Creating or updating your company’s drug and alcohol policy is essential to set clear expectations that a safe workplace requires employees to not report for work if impaired. Using CFIB’s free template can save you time and money in setting your company’s policy.

If an employee is impaired at work, you have the right and the responsibility to manage the employee’s behavior. Remember that alcohol and drug addiction should be treated as a disability. In other words, you have the right to engage in discipline for misconduct and inappropriate behaviour, but if you have information or evidence to suggest an addiction, assistance should be offered in the form of medical treatment, encouraging participation in a recovery program and giving the employee time off to recover. Find out more about your duty to ask.

See the Guide to Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace for information about drug and alcohol testing as it relates to human rights laws in Manitoba. Employers should consult a lawyer to determine if their drug testing plans are discriminatory.

Webinar: Managing cannabis in the workplace

CFIB members can access the webinar at your convenience, to hear more about:

• What legalization means for private business;
• How to talk to employees about cannabis; and
• The importance of a drug and alcohol policy.

Free Online training, “Cannabis – Workplace Implications”

VuBIZ has a free course developed by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). It’s listed under the “Managing Your People” learning theme. With this course, you and your employees will:

• Get tips and tricks on recognizing and dealing with impairment;
• Learn how to properly apply policies and procedures; and
• Prepare your business for the new legal landscape, including potential human rights issues.

Need further help?

Contact CFIB’s Business Resources team at 1-888-234-2232 or msman@cfib.ca.