Heron Bros has pledged to support the reduction of alcohol and drugs related harm in their workplace.

Heron Bros is the first construction company to be awarded the charter and sign the pledge. The company was recently presented with their “Drink Work and Me Charter” at Stormont for successfully completing the ‘Drink, Work and Me’ Awareness Programme.

Members of the Heron Bros Team were actively involved in the launch of the ‘Drink, Work & Me’ programme taking part in panel discussions and vox pop interviews discussing the benefits of the programme.

ADDICTION NI, Business in the Community and the Social Research Centre have worked in partnership to launch the Drink, Work & Me programme, designed to help businesses review, develop and implement an effective substance misuse policy within their organisations.

The Drink, Work & Me programme, is an employer-led, pioneering programme that seeks to help employees understand the wider impacts of alcohol, assisting them to make informed choices when using it. Nineteen companies have already participated in the programme which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

At the recognition event at Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 15 June, Thelma Abernethy, CEO, Addiction NI explains: “As the third biggest cause of death in Northern Ireland, alcohol is a major issue in our society, and its misuse is the second greatest risk factor for cancer after smoking.

“With the heaviest drinkers tending to be concentrated among those of working age, we believe the workplace is the ideal setting to focus on the issue. This programme has been specially designed to give employers the means, ideas, and information to provide appropriate wellbeing support to their workforce.

“Many employers want to support their staff who are experiencing alcohol-related harm but are unsure where to start. Drink, Work & Me is not an anti-alcohol campaign; it’s about ensuring employees in Northern Ireland have access to appropriate information and guidance at the right time in their lives to enable them to make informed choices about their alcohol use.”

Amy Kieran from Business in the Community added: “Talking about alcohol use and misuse within the workplace should not be off-limits. Instead, organisations should promote an open and friendly working culture where employees feel comfortable in speaking to their colleagues and manager about any concerns or issues they may have. This approach can assist any individuals who are experiencing problems and ensure they have access to relevant support services as early as possible in order to reduce the impact on themselves, their colleagues, their family and the business”.

Shauna Young, Corporate Responsibility at Heron Bros said:

“We are delighted to be part of the pioneering Drink Work & Me programme and are proud to be the first construction company to be awarded the charter and sign the pledge to support the reduction of alcohol and drugs related harm in our workplace.”

“We became involved in Drink, Work & Me programme in line with our ongoing health and wellbeing strategy where the primary concern is and always to safeguard the workforce’s health and safety in one of the most accident and risk intensive industries. The programme was rolled out throughout the company and across the construction sites in line with Considerate Constructors Scheme ‘Spotlight on Drugs & Alcohol’ to raise awareness about the effects of drugs and alcohol at home and work. Heron Bros pride ourselves on our innovative best practices and being a considerate employer and constructor.”

For more information, visit drinkworkandme.com and ccsbestpractice.org.uk/spotlight-on/drugs-and-alcohol