Alcohol and drugs in the European Union enterprises

Abstract

The European Union considers the company as one of the most important institutions for confronting the problems derived from alcohol consumption. Legislation and regulations in the various Member States are adapted to the peculiarities of each individual state but they all lack the specific legislation to deal with this problem as they are based on general penal, health and safety, and labour laws. Similarly, obligations are limited in respect of the treatment, education and assessment of employees, and also include penalising provisions that are, happily, being less and less applied. Nevertheless, the provisions that protect the privacy of the individual lead to difficulties in controlling alcohol and drug associated problems that affect the labour force, even though all Member States appear to be in agreement on the necessity of treating these problems in sectors of high risk and responsibility. In addition, the labour unions and the majority of companies do not have policies to deal with this problem, with the exception of the very large companies where the unions also have a greater influence. The governments, companies and labour unions in the Member States carry out general preventive actions and identification of workers at risk in particular so that those with problems arising from alcohol consumption and drug use are treated, rehabilitated and socially and reinserted in the workforce.