Allegations have been made by my employer regarding the use of drugs at work. Although after a search was conducted by a police officer, no drugs were found upon my person or possessions, and no arrests were made. However a small amount of illegal substance was found in a vehicle owned by the employer which I was traveling in as a passenger with other colleagues. This vehicle is available for a large number of people to use and is often used at weekends for private use. Although I am innocent of the allegations , my employer has indicated that they are unable to determine who the substance belongs to, they have decided to dismiss my colleagues and myself on the grounds of reasonable belief. Please indicate if this is lawful and to what extent this reasonable belief can be used?
November 27, 2008 by Anonymous
I cannot believe from what you say that the action of your employer in dismissing you and your colleagues could be considered reasonable in these circumstances. There is absolutely no evidence to connect you with the drugs and in these circumstances the situation would be properly dealt with by perhaps a written notice to you and your colleagues that drug use during working hours will not be tolerated.
It may well being that you have grounds to take your dismissal to an industrial tribunal. This will however depend upon certain other factors such as the length of your employment, the work you carry out, and any other disciplinary warnings which are relevant.
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