Workplaces concerned about how legal pot will affect the workplace: Conference Board

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With Canada’s legal pot regime getting closer by the day, individual businesses are having to update their employee drug policies.

But there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all approach.

The Conference Board of Canada spoke with nearly 200 organizations and found over half are either concerned or very concerned about how legal weed will affect the workplace.

Safety is by far the biggest reason for that concern followed by on the job impairment.

Bryan Benjamin with the Conference Board says in these early days most companies are erring on the side of caution.

“More organizations would rather be a little bit more extreme and [peel] it back over time, than be caught by surprise and not going far enough on certain pieces, especially safety-sensitive organizations.”

Benjamin adds it pays for companies to think for the long term and to make crystal clear to employees what the stance on marijuana is, and how it applies to them.

“[Also] do as much work as they can ahead of time because there are going to be surprises, there are going to be unknowns, but if you have something put in place beforehand then you’re already a couple steps ahead of the game.”

He adds in any case, its a good idea to have an updated policy in place before legalization kicks in.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today