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Blowing a number at work Consequences?

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Being over the designated limit is career ending stuff, not allot of support from the FWC

Blowing a number at work Consequences?

Many companies have a clear policy on alcohol and drugs in the workplace. Blowing a number at work, can have consequences, for both the employee and the employer. It goes without saying that employees under the influence of drugs or alcohol, in a work setting, will have an impaired judgement. Consequently, an employees’ impaired judgement may place their co-workers or themselves in danger. Zero tolerance drug and alcohol policies are paramount for companies who are in a high risk or safety critical work environment. Thus, more often than not employees can be dismissed for blowing a number or testing positive for an illicit substance. Regardless of their excuse or justification. This is also set out in our article Can-you-be-dismissed-for-using-medicinal-cannabis-at-work

Should you be dismissed?

In unfair dismissal case of Marshall Rushton v Giacci Bro Pty Ltd. The Fair Work Commission upheld the dismissal of a truck driver who blew a number but blamed it on throat lozenges. The employee worked as a full-time truck driver carting lithium ore and hence, the Company set out the lawful and reasonable instruction. That employees were to attend work and perform work free from any potentially performance impairing drug or alcohol influence. To enforce this policy, all transport workers are required to complete a breath test before they start every shift.

On 17 December 2020, the employee failed to comply with the requirement to undergo a pre-shift blood alcohol test (BAC). When he did, some two hours later, he returned a BAC reading of 0.013. The Applicant was subsequently dismissed on 18 December 2020, following a disciplinary meeting.

Hungover-at-work
Hungover at work. It breath tested probably blow a number. Take ownership of your circumstances.

Always excuses to avoid dismissal

The employee argued that he had consumed three-quarters of a 10-pack of Anticold cough lozenges to counter his dry throat and smoked a cigarette. Which may have affected the breathalyzer reading. Nevertheless, the employee later admitted that he had been drinking alcohol the night before. But he “went to bed early enough to sleep it off”. In response to not undertaking a pre-shift BAC test. The employee argued he had concerns about the hygiene of using the hand-held breathalyzer at the port, due to COVID-19. Furthermore, the employee argued that he had received inconsistent treatment as in his 20 years of service. He could only recall the dismissal of one driver for a positive breathalyzer reading.

Valid reason for dismissal

The Fair Work Commission held that there was a valid reason to dismiss the employee. As his misconduct was manifestly serious and in clear breach of the lawful and reasonable instructions that had been provided to him regarding BAC testing. In regards to the employees’ defenses, the Fair Work Commission was not satisfied that the lozenges or cigarettes invalidated the test. As there was “insufficient evidence” to support this. In regards to the employees concerns about the hygiene of the breathalyzer during COVID-19. Deputy President Beaumont noted that the employee had not complained about this prior, had it been a genuine concern of his.

In addition, Deputy President Beaumont was not satisfied that there had been inconsistent treatment as the Company does issue warnings when employees return their first or second non-negative BAC test result. That subsequent non-negative BAC test results can, and do, lead to the termination of employment. Furthermore, the employee had received other warnings relating to breath testing. Thus, in addition to there being a valid reason for dismissal. The Fair Work Commission held the dismissal was not harsh, not unjust and not unreasonable in the circumstances.

dismissed-for-blowing-a-number
Marching orders after testing positive to drugs. Dismissal in these circumstances is never good.

Policies have to be consistently applied

Although the Fair work Commission held that there was a valid reason due to the breach of the lawful and reasonable instructions that had been provided to the employee regarding the Company’s BAC testing policy, as with any policy, they need to be consistently applied throughout the organization. If the policy contains procedural steps that an employer must follow before dismissing an employee, it must do so strictly, otherwise the employee’s termination may be found to be harsh, unjust or unreasonable despite the employer having a valid reason to dismiss.

Although this is not the case in the unfair dismissal case of Marshall Rushton v Giacci Bro Pty Ltd. This is what the Fair work Commission found in Morcos v Serco Australia Pty Ltd [2019]

On 16 March 2019, Mr Morcos was on his day off, not due back to work until 21 March 2019. At approximately 4:45 pm, Serco’s Operation Service Centre contacted him to offer a shift commencing that evening, which he accepted. Mr Morcos stated that he was often contacted to work shifts on his days off, which he normally accepted.

On the day in question, he had consumed two beers during the afternoon and was mistakenly of the belief that he would be at the required level of 0.00 by the commencement of the shift. Clocking in at around 5.40pm, Mr Morcos underwent a random alcohol breath test. His first reading was 0.037 and the second, 10 minutes later, was 0.032. He was then told to go home. He left the work site and drove home. Mr Morcos stated that there was no discussion about his ability to drive home.

On Sunday 17 March 2019, Mr Morcos was contacted by the call centre and was asked to work a night shift, which he accepted. He worked from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am the following morning. He was not asked about his fitness to work, nor did he undertake any alcohol testing prior to commencing the shift on 17 March 2019.

On 20 March 2019 he was stood down from work pending an investigation. 26 March 2019, Mr Morcos received a letter notifying him of a disciplinary meeting on 28 March 2019, which he attended. 1 April 2019, he provided a written response to the allegations regarding his conduct.

Further on the 17 April 2019, he received a letter advising him of a meeting to be held on 18 April 2019. He attended this meeting, where he was told he was summarily dismissed. Deputy President Bull held that there was a valid reason for the dismissal related to the Applicant’s conduct being that Mr Morcos agreed to attend work despite knowing, may blow a number at work.

workplace-safety-is-important
You cannot deny, safety is important

Consequences? Outcome?,

Having found that a valid reason for the dismissal exists, the Commission is obliged to consider the other factors contained in ss.387(b)-(h) of the Act. As stated by the Full Bench in the unfair dismissal case of Container Terminals Australia Limited v Toby:

“In our view, the consideration of whether there was a valid reason for termination is a separate issue from the determination of whether a termination was harsh, unjust or unreasonable.”

Full Bench in Container Terminals Australia Limited v Toby

Deputy President Bull also found that the Policy that accepts employees may test positive to alcohol between 0.01 and 0.05. They receive a written warning rather than be dismissed unless other serious misconduct is involved. The applicant has provided examples of such employees. In addition, Mr Morcos consumed alcohol on his rostered day off. As opposed to doing so knowing he was rostered to work the same or following day and Serco invited Mr Morcos to return to work the following day and commence another 12-hour shift, despite having tested positive the previous day.

The fact that Serco had still invited him to work an additional 12-hour shift commencing the following day. Despite being aware of Mr Morcos’ positive reading was particularly telling in the Deputy President’s rejection of Serco’s argument’s that Mr Morcos should not be reinstated. The details of the additional shift were sent to Mr Taylor at 9:10 am on the morning after the incident. Serco failed to explain why it had asked Mr Morcos to work an additional shift. Mr Morcos was reinstated with an order to maintain continuity of employment and his period of continuous service.

Employers need to be familiar with policies

This case demonstrates the importance for employers. Including staff with the power to dismiss, to understand what they are required to do in disciplinary proceedings and in particular to be familiar with the ins and outs of relevant policies, particularly for drugs and alcohol. A “zero tolerance” policy will not necessarily mean dismissal in the context of an employees’ impeccable record and a relatively minor “infringement”.

If you find yourself in difficult circumstances, give us a call, at A Whole New Approach P/L as you can see from the above cases, its not straight forward.

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Get advice, work out what’s in your best interest.

Blowing a number at work

Any questions regarding blowing a number at work, drugs and alcohol use and the effects at work. AWNA would love to hear from you. We are A Whole New Approach P/L, we are not employment lawyers, or a government agency. AWNA are independent workplace advisors, we lead in advocacy work, representation and research on all matters relating to the workplace.

Any Fair work Commission matters, abandonment of employment, including being sacked (dismissed), general protections, workplace investigations. Any diversity in he workplace issues, we are happy to hear from you. We work in all states, including Victoria, NSW, QLD, Tas, SA, WA, NT. Looking for a lawyer?, consider us as an alternative, find out “how much your unfair dismissal is worth“, give us a call

Phone 1800 333 666, 7 days a week,

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