The “bedrock” of the CIPD Well-being Pyramid is culture, leadership and people management. These are the best ways to ensure you’re creating a solid foundation to your workplace well-being efforts:
1. Write or review your Alcohol and Drug Policy
Policies are important to provide explicit guidelines that can be easily referred to. As always, employee participation is important, even in policy development, to create an empowering and supportive environment. Workplace Alcohol and Drug Policies will typically include explicit information on:
- What is and is not tolerated on company grounds or at company-sponsored events, as well as enforcement and disciplinary action etc. (for employees, contractors, visitors and clients)
- How the organisation will promote awareness of the harmful effects of Alcohol and Drugs etc.
- Available supports for employees who are experiencing substance misuse and workplace accommodations for time off or returning to work etc.
We provide many resources and templates for developing workplace policies.
2. Increase the capacity of your managers
It’s important for your managers to fully understand the company policy and its implications. Additionally, they should know the signs of substance misuse and how to appropriately engage with affected employees. We provide further guidance and many resources for manager trainings.
3. Identify Health Champions
It is important to formally dedicate a member of senior-level staff by including these activities in their job description and performance reviews, while building their capacity with appropriate training.
4. Continuous commitment to the Workplace Wellbeing Programme
It is important to incorporate the wellbeing of your employees into your core values and the company’s strategic plan. Wellness staff and employees should be supported both with resources (budget, tools, trainings etc.) and with encouragement (job security, reasonable flexibility with time and productivity expectations when availing of initiatives, leading by example etc.)
5. Making your work environment supportive
Encourage alcohol-free events and have senior managers lead by example by engaging in alcohol-free marketing or client-networking events.
6. Consider an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
These programmes can help ensure that you also have supports in place for employees who might need rehabilitation or guidance through a challenging time. Talk to your insurance provider to see what they offer and to understand your options.
7. Link with National Policies
Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery is the Department of Health’s strategy for tackling the alcohol and drug problem in Ireland.