It is great that you want to take action in this important setting. You can make a real difference to New Zealand's drinking culture. Read more below.
Here are some questions to assist
- What behaviours are concerning you? What impact are these having on the working environment, you and other staff? Are the problems having or likely to have an impact on others, such as customers?
- Are there particular people or groups of people that are associated with the behaviours? Who are these people and what role do they play in the workplace?
- Are there particular times or activities that are associated with the problems? How is this affecting work performance?
- Are there particular places/areas that are associated with the problems?
- How is the alcohol being sourced/supplied?
- Are the problems new and if so what has changed?
- Does the company have a licence to sell alcohol? Do the problems indicate there could be breaches of the licence conditions? Have there been any enforcement issues raised by the regulatory agencies? Please check out the licensing section.
- Does the company have links to the alcohol industry? If so what is the nature of these links?
- Who owns the building/facilities the company uses? Who is responsible for their care and maintenance?
- Who makes decisions about the company and how do these decisions get made?
- Does the company have an existing policy concerning alcohol (or other drug use)? If so, do you believe the problems could be remedied through the policy? If not who would be responsible for developing one or responding to your concerns?
- Are you aware of others who share your concerns?
- What do you think might improve the behaviour and reduce the risks?
Taking action is most likely going to require you, and perhaps other colleagues, to talk to someone. Who this is will depend on your particular circumstances.
If you’d like to talk with someone else outside of the workplace before you do this, there are a range of options. Some companies have Employee Assistance Programmes (AEP) or similar independent advisors.
Depending on your role you might get involved in developing or updating an alcohol policy for your workplace.
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Workplace alcohol policies can have or be part of a broader health promoting approach, rather than having a more punitive focus. Taking a proactive approach to worker health and safety can have numerous benefits not only for the company but for New Zealand as a whole. Check out the tools below. |
There are many great tools available to assist you:
1) The Workplace Policy Builder - has many great ideas (make sure to click all the arrows to read the different information). See also here for responsible hosting and here for help finding support.
2) WorkWell (Toi Te Ora Public Health): Download their checklist here and Action and Evaluation plan here.
3) Wellplace (Health Promotion Agency). See the alcohol section here. Lots of great policy-specific information here and case examples of policies here.
Please visit the section on MOBILISING OTHERS
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