Alcohol and substance misuse

Drinking alcohol, taking drugs or a substance, either intermittently or continuously, such that it adversely interferes with an individual’s health, work performance or conduct or affects the work performance and/or safety of themselves and others.

This term includes prescription medicines where the prescription medicines have not been prescribed for the person possessing or using them and/or such prescription medicines which are not taken in accordance with a physician’s direction.

A compulsion to keep taking an intoxicating substance either to avoid effects of withdrawal (physical dependence) or to meet a need for stimulation or tranquillising effects or pleasure (psychological dependence).

A state of periodic or chronic intoxication produced by the repeated intake of an intoxicating substance. This means that a dependency has developed to such an extent that it has serious detrimental effects on the user and often their family as well, and the individual has great difficulty discontinuing their use. The substance has taken over their life.

• You are responsible for ensuring your behaviour and work performance remain appropriate while engaged in university activities and that you are 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 University’s Occupational Health.
• You should inform your line manager if you suspect that another member of staff is under the influence of a substance, as mentioned earlier, while engaged in a University activity that could result in an 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 University premises under any circumstances.
• 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 the People Function 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 wellbeing 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 University 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 that can provide advice and support.
• People Function
  Your People Function representative can provide advice and guidance on what support the University can offer. 
• Staff Supporters
  University staff who are trained volunteers and on hand to provide confidential and positive assistance when you need information, guidance, and support. Find out about the Staff Supporters.
• Occupational Health
  Occupational Health can provide advice and support regarding your situation. You can self-refer 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 University’s independent Employee Assistance Provider can provide confidential assistance regarding alcohol /drug dependency (telephone: 0800 085 4764 or log in their website using the User ID: Imperial and Password: College) to access confidential advice and support.

The University 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 the Alcohol and Substance Misuse Policy.
Should you not be willing to comply with the suggested treatment or should the alcohol and/or substance misuse continue, you will be subject to the University’s Disciplinary Policy.

As the line manager, you should seek advice from the People Function if you suspect a staff member 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 staff members achieve and maintain acceptable levels of conduct and performance.
•  Reinforce to members of staff the requirement for appropriate behaviour at University-related social events.
•  Refer staff members for assessment or help to Occupational Health where required, following the member of staff's consent.
•  Following advice from OH and the People Function, provide staff members with support and adjustment to facilitate recovery as far as reasonably practical.

If you suspect that a member of staff is under the influence of alcohol or a substance, you should seek guidance from the People Function.
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-judgmental way.
Your main concern should be for the wellbeing 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

• People Function
  If you suspect that there is an alcohol or substance misuse problem involving a member of your staff, you should contact your People Function representative to inform them of the situation.
  Your People Function representative will provide advice and guidance on managing 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 Health, 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, that impact a member of staff’s ability to carry out their work, are effectively managed. 
• Confidential Care Managerial Advice Line
  The University’s independent Employee Assistance Provider can provide confidential support and advice on addictions and drug dependency (telephone 0800 085 3805 or log in on their website).

The University 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 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, the People Function will provide the necessary advice.  

• Al-Anon 
  61 Great Dover Street
  London 32-36
  London SE1 4YF
  Tel. 020 7403 0888
• Alcohol Concern
  Waterbridge House, Loman Street,
  London 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