WOMAN FACES JAIL FOR THEFT OF MAIL - RANDOM DRUG TESTING ?

[baldrick]

According to Wikipedia light use of cannabis would show up in urine for 1-2 days. Prolonged use 3-4 weeks
It would show up in blood for up to 12 days, and in hair for up to 120 days.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_test

Apparently TFC metabolites in cannabis show up for longer than metabolites in other drugs.

[DGP1]

As for large numbers using "waccy baccy" at work: if that's true, I sincerely hope that they aren't driving, or operating equipment! ;Shocked

They don't use it at work but they do use at home and apart from a strange love of Lion Bars nothing seems to affect their work.

Would it still show up on a test, if someone had used "waccy baccy" at the weekend?

Yes, those Lion Bar tests are really sensitive

[andy2007]

According to Wikipedia light use of cannabis would show up in urine for 1-2 days. Prolonged use 3-4 weeks
It would show up in blood for up to 12 days, and in hair for up to 120 days.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wki/Drug_test

In that case, random testing would be useless. How would they be able to tell the difference between those who are under the influence of narcotics, and who had used them during their days off?
Although I don't condone drug use. As far as I'm concerned, it's none of RMs business what people do while their not on duty. However: anyone who actually uses while on duty is a hazard to everyone, and needs help to control their addiction.

[DGP1]

According to Wikipedia light use of cannabis would show up in urine for 1-2 days. Prolonged use 3-4 weeks
It would show up in blood for up to 12 days, and in hair for up to 120 days.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wki/Drug_test

In that case, random testing would be useless. How would they be able to tell the difference between those who are under the influence of narcotics, and who had used them during their days off?
Although I don't condone drug use. As far as I'm concerned, it's none of RMs business what people do while their not on duty. However: anyone who actually uses while on duty is a hazard to everyone, and needs help to control their addiction.

As with all things RM they would only use it for petty punishment or to get rid of full-time staff

[norbert]

As for large numbers using "waccy baccy" at work: if that's true, I sincerely hope that they aren't driving, or operating equipment! ;Shocked

They don't use it at work but they do use at home and apart from a strange love of Lion Bars nothing seems to affect their work.

Would it still show up on a test, if someone had used "waccy baccy" at the weekend?

On the zero tolerance policy I mentioned we were allowed no more than a 1/3 of a pint in your system when booking on , though to all intents and purposes you'd be stone cold sober .

We were told "waccy baccy" stayed in your system for SIX weeks and would show up immediately in a test , going by the up to date information supplied from Wickapedia , this was obviously to scare us and stamp out the Waccy Baccy , E's and Billy Whizz culture amongst younger staff.

Personnel at Manchester started testing the Scousers as they had a strong union and stuck together . They realized people were getting other people to do samples that would show up as clear , so there was a crackdown on that , samples had to be provided on the spot and were checked that they matched the suspect's body temperature .

Personnel Manchester sacked a Scouser for failing a breath test , it turned out he hadn't taken drink but he'd been using a fresh breath spray which had alcohol content . The Union got him reinstated but it didn't stop childish managers bragging about it .

Managers at Manchester were complaining that staff had to stay off work until they finished their prescribed courses of medication under Zero Tolerance , previously they'd have been hounded back to work for "malingering ".

RM would have a lot of problems there with RMAP and the mechanistic nature of stage warnings etc if they went for Random Testing or adopted a zero tolerance policy .

At one time if you went for promotion and you tested negative you just got knocked back if you tested negative ,then tests on applying for promotion /sideways moves became compulsory and if you tested negative you got the sack.

They had someone in Glasgow on the strength of a anonymous letter saying he was dealing blow , the guy said it was relatives /in-laws trying to stir up trouble for him . He refused to take the test , as he didn't have good reason for refusing the test , he was sacked on the spot . That was splashed all over the Propaganda Rag of a Staff Paper as a warning/lesson for staff.

The Union's Solictors had to get a Driver out of Prison when there was a accident in London as he was suspected of either using or dealing blow by Management .

Obviously you had to keep your mouth shut about anyone/ yourself using waccy baccy , in case it got upstairs and there was "coincidental tests " .

I hope this is of Interest re. Zero Tolerance Drug & Alcohol Policies . If RM adapted it , I'm sure it would be like or worse than I've posted above .

[dvbuk55]

I wouldn't want anyone near me who was a drug user. Are people using drugs and driving & using machinery? It should be zero tolerance on any drug because to me there is no difference.

[DGP1]

I wouldn't want anyone near me who was a drug user. Are people using drugs and driving & using machinery? It should be zero tolerance on any drug because to me there is no difference.

We'll see what happens if you take some OTC drug and get a positive test (or eat certain foods witch also give false positives). In todays RM with all the foot, ankle, knee, hip and back problems most of us will be on strong painkillers and then we'll end up sacked because of attitudes of people like you.

[dvbuk55]

I wouldn't want anyone near me who was a drug user. Are people using drugs and driving & using machinery? It should be zero tolerance on any drug because to me there is no difference.

We'll see what happens if you take some OTC drug and get a positive test (or eat certain foods witch also give false positives). In todays RM with all the foot, ankle, knee, hip and back problems most of us will be on strong painkillers and then we'll end up sacked because of attitudes of people like you.

Rubbish! Any results subject to controversary would be able to be brought into question, there are absolute positives for cannabis and the other so called "recreational" drugs.

[DGP1]

I wouldn't want anyone near me who was a drug user. Are people using drugs and driving & using machinery? It should be zero tolerance on any drug because to me there is no difference.

We'll see what happens if you take some OTC drug and get a positive test (or eat certain foods witch also give false positives). In todays RM with all the foot, ankle, knee, hip and back problems most of us will be on strong painkillers and then we'll end up sacked because of attitudes of people like you.

Rubbish! Any results subject to controversary would be able to be brought into question, there are absolute positives for cannabis and the other so called "recreational" drugs.

And you really think RM are going to review the results, have you been asleep for the past few years whenever they just ignore anything that is not what they want to hear.

Plus what I or anyone else do in our spare time is entirely our business and has nothing to do with RM but you seem to think that it has and how long before having a pint at the weekend will be grounds for dismissal (of course in your little world that would be fine)

[dvbuk55]

I wouldn't want anyone near me who was a drug user. Are people using drugs and driving & using machinery? It should be zero tolerance on any drug because to me there is no difference.

We'll see what happens if you take some OTC drug and get a positive test (or eat certain foods witch also give false positives). In todays RM with all the foot, ankle, knee, hip and back problems most of us will be on strong painkillers and then we'll end up sacked because of attitudes of people like you.

Rubbish! Any results subject to controversary would be able to be brought into question, there are absolute positives for cannabis and the other so called "recreational" drugs.

And you really think RM are going to review the results, have you been asleep for the past few years whenever they just ignore anything that is not what they want to hear.

Plus what I or anyone else do in our spare time is entirely our business and has nothing to do with RM but you seem to think that it has and how long before having a pint at the weekend will be grounds for dismissal (of course in your little world that would be fine)

Breaking the law is everyone's business and so is health and safety. As a matter of fact I neither smoke nor drink. My world is the same size as yours I chose to use it in another way.

[DGP1]

I wouldn't want anyone near me who was a drug user. Are people using drugs and driving & using machinery? It should be zero tolerance on any drug because to me there is no difference.

We'll see what happens if you take some OTC drug and get a positive test (or eat certain foods witch also give false positives). In todays RM with all the foot, ankle, knee, hip and back problems most of us will be on strong painkillers and then we'll end up sacked because of attitudes of people like you.

Rubbish! Any results subject to controversary would be able to be brought into question, there are absolute positives for cannabis and the other so called "recreational" drugs.

And you really think RM are going to review the results, have you been asleep for the past few years whenever they just ignore anything that is not what they want to hear.

Plus what I or anyone else do in our spare time is entirely our business and has nothing to do with RM but you seem to think that it has and how long before having a pint at the weekend will be grounds for dismissal (of course in your little world that would be fine)

Breaking the law is everyone's business and so is health and safety. As a matter of fact I neither smoke nor drink. My world is the same size as yours I chose to use it in another way.

Maybe you should have a drink or a smoke and stop worrying about what anyone else gets up to in their own spare time.

The only people you seem to want to exist are tea totaling religious fanatics who do nothing wrong or illegal, well I for one would hate that kind of world. we have lost enough freedom with this government and I don't want to lose anymore to my employer.

[DGP1]

I don't take any illegal drugs, I don't smoke but I like to have a drink now and again, I also have to take a lot of pain-killers just to get through a day at work and these include Kapake tablets (they include codeine which is a opiate) so I'd end up losing my job, let alone using mouthwash that has large amounts of alcohol

[dvbuk55]

I wouldn't want anyone near me who was a drug user. Are people using drugs and driving & using machinery? It should be zero tolerance on any drug because to me there is no difference.

We'll see what happens if you take some OTC drug and get a positive test (or eat certain foods witch also give false positives). In todays RM with all the foot, ankle, knee, hip and back problems most of us will be on strong painkillers and then we'll end up sacked because of attitudes of people like you.

Rubbish! Any results subject to controversary would be able to be brought into question, there are absolute positives for cannabis and the other so called "recreational" drugs.

And you really think RM are going to review the results, have you been asleep for the past few years whenever they just ignore anything that is not what they want to hear.

Plus what I or anyone else do in our spare time is entirely our business and has nothing to do with RM but you seem to think that it has and how long before having a pint at the weekend will be grounds for dismissal (of course in your little world that would be fine)

Breaking the law is everyone's business and so is health and safety. As a matter of fact I neither smoke nor drink. My world is the same size as yours I chose to use it in another way.

Maybe you should have a drink or a smoke and stop worrying about what anyone else gets up to in their own spare time.

The only people you seem to want to exist are tea totaling religious fanatics who do nothing wrong or illegal, well I for one would hate that kind of world. we have lost enough freedom with this government and I don't want to lose anymore to my employer.

Repent all ye who enter here, god bless you my son!

[brothermagrew]

As a business Royal Mail have since about 1997 had an alcohol and drug policy in force. Royal Mail have stated that this policy is not a fundamental change but it is a development of its established approach. The normal provisions of the Royal Mail Conduct Code will apply.

In the main the policy contains 'Five Standards' affecting staff. It emphasises throughout the support which will be available to staff (including the roles of OHS and Employee Support).

The 1st of the 5 expected standards is below. I will put the other remaining 4 standards on when time permits.

Standard One:
It is every employees responsibility not to come to work or return to work adversely affected by alcohol or drug use. This Means - When you come to work or return from a break you must be able to do all aspects of your scheduled work safely and effectively, unaffected by alcohol and drugs. If there are clear risks to your own safety, the safety of your colleagues or the public this is especially important. If (for example) you are scheduled to undertake driving duties, or operate a vehicle of any kind, use machinery or handle heavy loads you will need to take particular care.

REMEMBER - In addition to Royal Mail's responsibilities as your employer we all as individuals have a legal duty not to endanger our own safety and that of our work colleagues and members of the public. Being under the influence of alcohol and drugs at any time while at work or on Royal Mail business breaks Royal Mail standards and may result in application of the conduct code. It could also mean you are breaking the law!

[dvbuk55]

As a business Royal Mail have since about 1997 had an alcohol and drug policy in force. Royal Mail have stated that this policy is not a fundamental change but it is a development of its established approach. The normal provisions of the Royal Mail Conduct Code will apply.

In the main the policy contains 'Five Standards' affecting staff. It emphasises throughout the support which will be available to staff (including the roles of OHS and Employee Support).

The 1st of the 5 expected standards is below. I will put the other remaining 4 standards on when time permits.

Standard One:
It is every employees responsibility not to come to work or return to work adversely affected by alcohol or drug use. This Means - When you come to work or return from a break you must be able to do all aspects of your scheduled work safely and effectively, unaffected by alcohol and drugs. If there are clear risks to your own safety, the safety of your colleagues or the public this is especially important. If (for example) you are scheduled to undertake driving duties, or operate a vehicle of any kind, use machinery or handle heavy loads you will need to take particular care.

REMEMBER - In addition to Royal Mail's responsibilities as your employer we all as individuals have a legal duty not to endanger our own safety and that of our work colleagues and members of the public. Being under the influence of alcohol and drugs at any time while at work or on Royal Mail business breaks Royal Mail standards and may result in application of the conduct code. It could also mean you are breaking the law!

Thank you Brother. My question would be do we take people on trust under their own recognisance NOT to abuse alcohol or drugs or should there be a check before something goes wrong.