❓ A parliamentary question seeks clarification on the Labor Government's support for employers who stand down employees refusing drug/alcohol testing and face subsequent strike action. The government emphasizes workplace-specific policies, consultation, and the role of industrial tribunals.
AnsweredQoN 1283Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(b) what support will the Labor Government give to an employer who stands down an employee because they refuse drug or alcohol testing, prior to using heavy or dangerous machinery ; and (c) will the State Labor Government support an employer who becomes subject to strike action as a result of such a stand down?
(c) will the State Labor Government support an employer who becomes subject to strike action as a result of such a stand down?
(a) Alcohol and drug testing is a matter to be dealt with in a specific workplace. The Government expects that employers implementing a policy relating to drug and alcohol testing in a workplace would have consulted with employees and unions, and that procedures would have been installed to ensure fairness in dealing with situations where tests of employees prove positive. A guidance note issued by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission provides valuable information in this regard. (b) & (c) Industrial tribunals are the appropriate forums for dealing with these issues. Employers acting as described in (a) above, should be confident of a positive outcome from a matter referred to an industrial tribunal for conciliation or arbitration. It is not the role of the Government to arbitrate in specific disputes.
The Government expects that employers implementing a policy relating to drug and alcohol testing in a workplace would have consulted with employees and unions, and that procedures would have been installed to ensure fairness in dealing with situations where tests of employees prove positive. A guidance note issued by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission provides valuable information in this regard. (b) & (c) Industrial tribunals are the appropriate forums for dealing with these issues. Employers acting as described in (a) above, should be confident of a positive outcome from a matter referred to an industrial tribunal for conciliation or arbitration. It is not the role of the Government to arbitrate in specific disputes.
A guidance note issued by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission provides valuable information in this regard. (b) & (c) Industrial tribunals are the appropriate forums for dealing with these issues. Employers acting as described in (a) above, should be confident of a positive outcome from a matter referred to an industrial tribunal for conciliation or arbitration. It is not the role of the Government to arbitrate in specific disputes.
(b) & (c) Industrial tribunals are the appropriate forums for dealing with these issues. Employers acting as described in (a) above, should be confident of a positive outcome from a matter referred to an industrial tribunal for conciliation or arbitration. It is not the role of the Government to arbitrate in specific disputes.
(c) will the State Labor Government support an employer who becomes subject to strike action as a result of such a stand down?
(a) Alcohol and drug testing is a matter to be dealt with in a specific workplace. The Government expects that employers implementing a policy relating to drug and alcohol testing in a workplace would have consulted with employees and unions, and that procedures would have been installed to ensure fairness in dealing with situations where tests of employees prove positive. A guidance note issued by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission provides valuable information in this regard. (b) & (c) Industrial tribunals are the appropriate forums for dealing with these issues. Employers acting as described in (a) above, should be confident of a positive outcome from a matter referred to an industrial tribunal for conciliation or arbitration. It is not the role of the Government to arbitrate in specific disputes.
The Government expects that employers implementing a policy relating to drug and alcohol testing in a workplace would have consulted with employees and unions, and that procedures would have been installed to ensure fairness in dealing with situations where tests of employees prove positive. A guidance note issued by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission provides valuable information in this regard. (b) & (c) Industrial tribunals are the appropriate forums for dealing with these issues. Employers acting as described in (a) above, should be confident of a positive outcome from a matter referred to an industrial tribunal for conciliation or arbitration. It is not the role of the Government to arbitrate in specific disputes.
A guidance note issued by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission provides valuable information in this regard. (b) & (c) Industrial tribunals are the appropriate forums for dealing with these issues. Employers acting as described in (a) above, should be confident of a positive outcome from a matter referred to an industrial tribunal for conciliation or arbitration. It is not the role of the Government to arbitrate in specific disputes.
(b) & (c) Industrial tribunals are the appropriate forums for dealing with these issues. Employers acting as described in (a) above, should be confident of a positive outcome from a matter referred to an industrial tribunal for conciliation or arbitration. It is not the role of the Government to arbitrate in specific disputes.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 April 2003
Responded by
Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection
Response time
13 days
The Department of Consumer and Employment Protection provides the following response:
(a) Alcohol and drug testing is a matter to be dealt with in a specific workplace.
The Government expects that employers implementing a policy relating to drug and alcohol testing in a workplace would have consulted with employees and unions, and that procedures would have been installed to ensure fairness in dealing with situations where tests of employees prove positive.
A guidance note issued by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission provides valuable information in this regard.
(b) & (c) Industrial tribunals are the appropriate forums for dealing with these issues. Employers acting as described in (a) above, should be confident of a positive outcome from a matter referred to an industrial tribunal for conciliation or arbitration. It is not the role of the Government to arbitrate in specific disputes.
(a) Alcohol and drug testing is a matter to be dealt with in a specific workplace.
The Government expects that employers implementing a policy relating to drug and alcohol testing in a workplace would have consulted with employees and unions, and that procedures would have been installed to ensure fairness in dealing with situations where tests of employees prove positive.
A guidance note issued by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission provides valuable information in this regard.
(b) & (c) Industrial tribunals are the appropriate forums for dealing with these issues. Employers acting as described in (a) above, should be confident of a positive outcome from a matter referred to an industrial tribunal for conciliation or arbitration. It is not the role of the Government to arbitrate in specific disputes.
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