TORONTO, July 6, 2017 /CNW/ - With less than one year until the legalization of marijuana in Canada, a new study reveals that employers feel unprepared for the impact the increased drug use may have on the workplace. In a survey answered by over 650 Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) members between June 1 and June 9, 2017, over 45 per cent of respondents do not believe their current workplace policies adequately address the potential new issues that may arise with the legalization and expected increased use of marijuana.
"Employers are concerned, and both governments and employers have a role to play to ensure workplaces are properly prepared for the legalization of marijuana on July 1, 2018," said Bill Greenhalgh, CEO, HRPA. "Governments must ensure that issues such as the legal definition of impairment, and how to accurately test those levels, are resolved before the legalization date. On the other hand, employers must continually update and communicate their current drug policies to employees so expectations are clear.
"We have heard from Human Resources Professionals that strict policies and government guidelines will be critically important to safety-sensitive workplaces."
In the new whitepaper entitled Clearing the Haze: The Impacts of Marijuana on the Workplace, HRPA makes 10 recommendations to governments and employers to ensure that they are prepared for the increased use of marijuana and the affects that will inevitably have on the workplace. These recommendations include that the government maintain two regulatory streams for medical and recreational cannabis, and ensuring employers are prepared to answer questions about coverage of medical marijuana in their extended health care plans.
"While a year may sound like a lot to prepare for the legalization of marijuana, we are urging employers to act now. In terms of legalization on a broad scale, Canada is in uncharted territory," Greenhalgh concluded. "The sooner employers can communicate clear policies to employees, the better."
The full report can be found here: https://www.hrpa.ca/Documents/Public/HRPA-Clearing-The-Haze.pdf
About HRPA
Through an Act of the Ontario Legislature, the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) regulates the professional HR practice of its more than 23,000 members in Ontario, across Canada and around the world. HRPA connects members with an unmatched range of HR information, resources, events, professional development and networking opportunities. On an annual basis, HRPA hosts Canada's largest HR conference and trade show. HRPA issues three levels of professional certification: the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation for practitioners entering the profession and working in administrative capacities; the Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL), for practitioners working in fully professional capacities; and the Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE), for senior executives.
SOURCE Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA)
Please contact Liz Bernier, HRPA Communications Specialist, at 416.923.2324 x324 or at [email protected]
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