threatening email from the employer

[Noushki]

A group of people from work are going to Amsterdam for a long weekend. During their holiday they are meeting a work client for few hours. Employer has just sent a threatening email tellingthe whole group that if anyone gets caught taki g drugs their employment contract will be terminated. That suggests someone among the group will be spying for the employer.

First of all, no one is going to Amsterdam with intention to take drugs. Secondly they are all adults who take sole responsibility for themselves and third - is the employer allowed to tell you what you can/cannot do during your ho!day? I found this email from HR completely inappropriate!

Can they request a blood test after people return to work from their holiday? How what you do during fivedays holiday has anything to do with your employment or is your employer's business? Its like telling people what they cannot do in their spare time outside of working hours!

Are they allowed to send such emails threatening to fire you if you are caught smoking weed during your holiday? No ones is planning to and they are outraged by that email.

On top of it we are all professionals and we know how to behave or carry ourselves during a meeting with a client.

Can anyone speciaising in employment law advise us how to respond to this email?
Many thanks!

[nemesis45]

Re: threatening email from the employer

Hi Welcome to LB,

I suspect your employer is concern as the staff will be meeting with a valued client, the stance on the use of cannabis in the Netherlands is considerable different to the UK, one can be offered various cannabis products in places most unexpectedly public some of the products may not be easily identified.
Traces of drugs however minute are also picked up by HM Customs with various very sensitive tests.
A safety precaution for employer and employees I think.

nem

[Noushki]

Re: threatening email from the employer

Those are professionals who meet clients on weekly basis. No one would do anything stupid like smoking weed or getting drunk during the meeting. The more important point is your employer has no right yo tell you what to do during your holidays or at home outside working hours. Suggesting otherwise is disrespectful to employees and inappropriate. But I need to confirm it by law specialist.

[wales01man]

Re: threatening email from the employer

Whats the worry? if you are all good people not doing naughties out there nothing to worry about

[nemesis45]

Re: threatening email from the employer

Quite clearly the employer has said " if anyone gets caught" I have explained that traces of drugs can be detected days after usage of even passing contact.
I can see no mention of blood test or anything similar apart from your question!
Nor can I see any threat regarding smoking weed, only your supposition.!

Take it up face to face with the person who sent the e- mail.

nem

[stevemLS]

Re: threatening email from the employer

Yes, an employer can legitimately concern themselves with conduct outside of working hours if it "brings them into disrepute".

[nemesis45]

Re: threatening email from the employer

Those are professionals who meet clients on weekly basis. No one would do anything stupid like smoking weed or getting drunk during the meeting. The more important point is your employer has no right yo tell you what to do during your holidays or at home outside working hours. Suggesting otherwise is disrespectful to employees and inappropriate. But I need to confirm it by law specialist.

Responsible " Professional " people are seen doing incredibly stupid things almost everyday.

[cupidstunt]

Re: threatening email from the employer

speaking from memory, so would need to check to make absolutely sure.

I believe it has to be in your contract for them to do drug testing. Also it's hard to get the testing arranged and there are means to cheat it ( apparently ).

Without thinking this through and making a quick personnel judgement, how can you be told not to do something that is legal? but then your thoughts appear to be the same.

I hate being told what to do and it hurts me to say this, but if you arent going to smoke drugs etc. then it shouldn't be an issue. Just have a good bitch and moan between your selves.

Don't bitch and moan on facebook or post pics pretending to smoke a joint on there..........drunken facebook usage is responsible for many dismissals.

Be careful and have fun.

[nemesis45]

Re: threatening email from the employer

The employer has not mentioned testing, the OP is presuming/assuming such action may/could happen.

nem

[cupidstunt]

Re: threatening email from the employer

Ok sorry Nem, there I go rushing in without reading properly.

My apologies to all.