Issue - meetings

Minute 19 refers

The Committee considered and approved the recommendation of the Local Joint Panel meeting held on 16 March 2016, on a revised Alcohol, Drug and Substance Misuse Policy.

RESOLVED – that the revised Alcohol, Drug and Substance Misuse Policy, as now submitted, be approved.

(See also Minute 698).

The Secretary to the Employer’s Side submitted a report inviting Members to approve the revised policy and to make a recommendation to Human Resources Committee, as appropriate.  The Human Resources Officer summarised the background behind the proposed changes.

Councillor E Buckmaster referred to paragraph 3.2 of the report as detailed and was pleased to see that the report acknowledged that different symptoms might manifest themselves to be wholly unconnected with substance misuse.  He asked that the report provide further clarification on this, especially for example, that it might be as a result of a mental health issue.  This was supported.

In response to a query from Councillor G McAndrew in relation to communicating changes to staff and the process for reporting suspected employees, the Secretary to the Employer’s Side clarified the process and explained the role of Occupational Health (OH).  She stated that OH would only be called in if needed.

In response to a query from Councillor L Haysey, the Secretary to the Employer’s Side explained that legal “highs” would be treated in the same way as alcohol, drug or substance misuse.

The Panel recommended to Human Resources Committee, approval of the report, as amended and as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that the revised Alcohol, Drug and Substance Misuse Policy, as now amended, be approved.