Company looking at 'range of options' for policy reforms
ANZ Group Holdings Ltd. is set to review its alcohol policies following complaints about intoxicated staff on the trading floor, according to reports.
Chief executive officer Shayne Elliott told Parliament on Friday that they are looking at a "range of options" for policy reforms and will be discussing a first draft this week, Bloomberg reported.
"One of those is that we review our alcohol policy more generally, not just for trading rooms, but more generally to ensure that we've got those settings right," he said.
According to the CEO, no decisions have been made yet on a no-alcohol policy, but "that should be on the table."
"It's entirely reasonable that that is considered," Elliott said as quoted by Bloomberg.
The plans for policy reforms come as the CEO assured lawmakers that cases of misconduct won't happen again in the organisation, following the departure of three people due to these allegations.
The CEO said complaints from staff concerned colleagues returning to the trading floor after consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.
Employers have long been encouraged to implement clear guidelines and policies regarding alcohol at work.
Margaret Goody, managing director of Akyra Strategy and Development, previously warned that the use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace can have "serious consequences" on safety, productivity, and organisational reputation.
"The potential for employers to be held liable for the conduct of intoxicated employees under the concept of vicarious liability, as well as the recently introduced positive duty to prevent sexual harassment, means employers should seriously consider making work-related events alcohol-free — or at least limit the amount of alcohol made available — in order to protect both workers and themselves," Goody previously told HRD.
"Drug and alcohol policies should be reviewed – and if necessary updated – regularly, and any policy changes should be clearly communicated to all employees."
