Half of Irish employees have been drunk at work

Irish firms have been urged to consider US-style on-the-spot drug and alcohol tests after it emerged almost half of all employees have been drunk at work.

The potential move has been put forward by law consultancy firm Peninsula Ireland after its nationwide survey found that Irish attitudes to alcohol is impacting on the workplace.

Details revealed in the survey show that, of 1,353 employees interviewed in the Republic and the North between May and July, 595 (44%) admitted to occasions when they were drunk on the job.

In addition, out of 649 Irish employers interviewed during the same period, 499 (77%) said they have had to issue disciplinary proceedings over the matter.

Peninsula Ireland’s managing director, Alan Price, said the figures mean companies should consider introducing on-the-spot checks on employees they believe may be drunk at work.

The policies are in place in most major companies in the US. Mr Price added that while such tests may make for an awkward conversation, ignoring the issue cannot continue to be an option.

“Employees who attend work under the influence of alcohol are not just putting themselves at risk but also the safety of others,” said Mr Price.

“If you do have a drink, remember you may well put the safety of yourself, colleagues, friends, and customers at risk.

“You may think that one drink will not account for much, but potentially you could be wrong.

“Employers may well wish to introduce random drug and alcohol testing into polices and if this is the case then they can implement at their discretion,” he said, adding that if an employer “suspects erratic behaviour then they have the right to bring it to your attention.”

Figures released earlier this year by the World Health Organisation show that, statistically, Ireland has one of the highest death rates from alcohol in the world.

The details, released in May, confirmed that three people die every day from alcohol-related illnesses in Ireland, with a further 2,000 in hospital at any one time due to the effects of long-term or binge drinking.

While rates have dropped over the past decade, almost half of all Irish drinkers admitted to heavy episodes of drinking in the previous month when asked to respond to the study, compared to 16% globally.

You can contact Alcohol Action Ireland online at www.alcoholireland.ie[/url], by emailing [e-mail] or call 01 8780610.