Scenario: I have just been informed that a syringe has been found in the toilet of one of our contracts (contract catering at a inner city school). The police were called and have confirmed it contained heroin. The client is now asking what we are going to do about it. Although the WC is primarily for the use of Catering Staff, it is not locked and therefore can be accessed by others, but not the general public. I have been asked by my boss (owner director) if we can drug test etc. My thoughts are initially that as we do not have a formal drug testing policy in-place, we cannot just demand tests at this site. Also I believe there has to be consent from employees in any case. Therefore my query is could we ask people to volunteer for testing? If so, does anyone have a similar experience of this? I have doubts to whether some of the staff would volunteer, but do not feel we could discipline or remove them from site on this basis alone, for the reasons above. I have to visit site on Friday and so quick responses would be appreciated. Many thanks

Hi, I agree with everything A.K. has said and just add this is an HR policy issue, so unless you have an HR hat ....... As was said, it's a can of worms, and they're HR worms, Jim

Well, it is and it isn't. If you were a building contractor and have some drug addled gadgee wiring up the electrics or plumbing the gas central heating, and either of those goes bang, then you have a very serious safety problem. In the catering sector, think about short and not very rational tempers and lots of pans full of boiling water, not to mention all those knives. If said gadgee leaves a needle exposed and there is a sharps injury, then there is yet another safety issue. Both situations are serious, will cost you a great deal of money and the loss or reputation, certification etc may be difficult to recover. You might leave it to HR to deal with as a personnel issue, if indeed it has anything at all to do with your employees. But don't pretend that there may not no potential safety implications.