Industry News Policies
Random alcohol testing nullified

June 18, 2013 – The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that an imposed policy mandating random alcohol testing is unjustified, even in dangerous workplaces.

Irving Pulp & Paper operates a pulp mill in New Brunswick. In 2006, it adopted a workplace policy that mandated random alcohol testing of employees that held safety sensitive positions in the mill.

Random testing was achieved by using an off-site computer, which in any 12-month period, randomly selected 10 per cent of people on a list of employees who held safety sensitive positions. The policy provided that a positive test for alcohol could give rise to significant disciplinary consequences, including dismissal and further provided that a failure to submit to testing was grounds for immediate dismissal.

For the full article by Robert England visit, hrreporter.com.

June 18, 2013  By Woodbusiness