Research conducted by the Institute of Alcohol Studies reveals an alcohol-related productivity loss to the UK economy estimated at GB pound 6.4 billion per annum, while 60% of employers attribute poor performance at work among their members of staff as a direct result of alcohol misuse1.
Against that backdrop, G4S Secure Solutions (UK) has launched an Alcohol and Drugs Screening service to provide a complete testing solution for businesses.
The Alcohol and Drugs Screening Service may be tailored to the precise requirements of the individual business, in turn offering a closely managed and discrete process.
This can include developing a comprehensive alcohol and drug policy, carrying out testing, secure on-site sampling, ‘testing for a cause’ (for example after a Health and Safety incident) and maintaining the secure chain of custody for any samples through to laboratory testing and the delivery of results.
“The misuse of alcohol and drugs can have a severe impact on business performance,” explained Andy Lane, managing director at G4S Regional Security, part of G4S Secure Solutions (UK).
“For example, it can lead to reduced attendance levels, compromised efficiency and performance, impaired judgement, slower reaction times, poor concentration and flawed decision-making which may increasing the risk of accidents at work.”
Lane continued: “The figures give real food for thought. Up to 17 million working days lost each year through alcohol-related absence from work2 and drug-related absenteeism is estimated to be costing UK businesses GB pound 800 million every year3. It’s easy to see how taking a measured, comprehensive and efficient approach to dealing with alcohol and drug misuse in the workplace can boost the business’ bottom line and bring benefits not just to the business but to its employees.”
Not about a ‘Big Brother’ attitude
According to Lane, secure monitoring and testing for alcohol and drugs is absolutely not about adopting a ‘Big Brother’ attitude towards staff. Instead, it helps businesses ensure a safe environment for their employees, visitors and customers alike.
“This is especially important in key strategic business sectors which demand a core focus on safety,” asserted Lane. “The petrochemical, oil and gas, chemical processing, heavy engineering, transport and logistics and utilities sectors are all good examples.”
Businesses in these areas, of course, have to adopt a thorough and rigorous approach to dealing with issues around alcohol and drug use in the workplace.
“G4S can provide a safe, discrete and reliable service to help ensure the security of the working environment and all those who enter it,” suggested Lane.
As part of its service, G4S has certified alcohol and drugs screening officers who can work confidentially on client premises to provide a seamless service, including the maintenance of testing records for audit and compliance purposes.
Find out more about the new service at www.g4s.uk.com/alcoholanddrugscreeningservice (a dedicated web link is provided at the foot of this page)
References
1Institute of Alcohol Studies: ‘Alcohol and the Workplace’ (Factsheet, June 2009)
2Institute of Alcohol Studies: ‘Alcohol and the Workplace’ (Factsheet, June 2009)
3Alcohol Concern and DrugScope (2001): ‘Developing and Implementing a Workplace Policy’
G4S welcomes Government announcement on greater reform of public services
Responding to the publication of the White Paper on Open Public Services launched by Prime Minister David Cameron, G4S has stated that it “looks forward to helping the Government deliver the savings needed in the economy”.
David Taylor-Smith, CEO of G4S UK and Africa, said: “We have been calling for a comprehensive restructuring and re-engineering of the country’s public services for some time now, and believe the private sector and its partners are both willing and able to help in this process. We have no doubt that the introduction of market forces into new areas of Government spend will be a key driver towards the effective reduction of costs while maintaining service quality and driving innovation.”
Taylor-Smith added: “The new White Paper is an important milestone and will have far-reaching implications for the way in which our public services are delivered. By opening more public services up to competition there will be greater choice, increased diversity of providers, greater transparency and fairness.”
G4S is committed to supporting the Government in its campaign to reduce the UK’s deficit, and has already delivered a range of savings as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
“By working together,” said Taylor-Smith, “we believe we can help to deliver the greater savings the economy needs and begin to reform our public services for the better.”
In conclusion, Taylor-Smith said: “Greater use of private companies does not mean all public services will be delivered ‘on the cheap’, but rather more efficiently, effectively and with greater financial accountability. This can only be good news for the taxpayer.”
WorldHost Customer Service Training programme licence awarded to G4S
G4S Assessment Services – one of the UK’s leading quality inspection, assessment and accreditation companies – has just been awarded a licence to deliver WorldHost, a world-class training programme designed to help raise the standard and delivery of customer service in the UK
The licence was awarded by People 1st – the sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism – who developed the programme for the UK market and administer the training licences.
Commencing in June, G4S will provide ten trainers and consultants who will specialise in the delivery of this UK-wide bespoke customer service training package.
The training package comprises four customer service programmes developed specifically for the UK which are designed to lead to a Level Two customer service qualification. They include the Principles of Customer Service, Ambassador Workshop, Customers with Disabilities and Service Across Cultures.
Gary Swarbrooke, director of operations for G4S Assessment Services, commented: “G4S is delighted to have been awarded a licence to deliver the WorldHost training programme. We see this as a significant addition to our portfolio of training courses, and it’s commensurate with our other work that we do in the assessment services field.”
He added: “WorldHost will enable us to increase our capability in providing customer-focused training and aligns well with the Customer Services Excellence standard and the provision of accommodation standard assessments that we provide for VisitEngland.”
Sharon Glancy, director of the People 1st Training Company, said: “For organisations wishing to take advantage of the significant revenue visitors will generate during the 2012 Olympics and other major world sporting events, the WorldHost Customer Service programme is well placed to become the national standard for customer service training. G4S’ expertise will help us deliver our planned objective of training 200,000 hospitality and tourism staff prior to next year’s Games.”
Hello G4S, I sent in an application , I got a reply and was told to read the Alcohol ,drug-free workplace policy and get back to you, I truly didn’t find the policy and here IAM , asking for help.
Because I don’t want to miss out on an employment opportunity if at all this step is required.
Thank you