Drink and drugs warning for employers

EMPLOYERS could be held liable for actions of any employees under the influence of drugs or alcohol, if they don’t have proper drug policies, a conference heard yesterday.

Companies could face fines of up to €3 million or imprisonment of up to two years for serious breaches by management of their responsibilities in this area.

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, directors and senior managers carry particular responsibilities if it can be shown an offence committed by their workers is attributable to “neglect, connivance, consent or authorisation” on their part.