Impairment in the workplace

Get answers to questions about impairment in the workplace in the BC Public Service.

On this page

• What is impairment?
• What is 'fit for duty'?
• Supervisor responsibilities
• Employee responsibilities
• Resources

Frequently asked questions

Employees

Managers and supervisors

What is impairment?

The BC Public Service promotes a safe and healthy workplace that supports employee well-being.

Impairment in the workplace can affect workplace health, safety and operations and can come from many different sources, including:

• Prescription drugs
• Medications and over the counter drugs
• Alcohol
• Cannabis
• Medical conditions
• Illicit drugs
• Fatigue

What is 'fit for duty'?

In the BC Public Service, 'fit for duty' is defined as:

“a physical, mental and emotional state which enables employees to perform their job tasks competently and continuously in a manner which does not compromise the integrity of the BC Public Service or create a safety hazard to themselves or others.”

All BC Public Service employees must be fit for duty at all times during work.

In accordance with the Standards of Conduct, employees cannot be impaired and must be fit for duty when they commence work and anytime during their work including returning from breaks.

Impairing substances or conditions affect individuals differently.

Employees must be aware of how substances or conditions affect them specifically, including being aware of how long the effects of an impairing substance or condition may last for them, so they are not impaired while working. This includes ensuring that substances used during off work hours do not have any impairing effects while at work.

Supervisor responsibilities

If you're a supervisor, you are expected to:

• Be knowledgeable about and comply with:
  • Standards of Conduct
  • BC Public Service Human Resources policy 04 – Occupational safety and health (PDF, 216KB)
  • Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (sections 4.19 to 4.20)

  Employee responsibilities

  Promoting workplace health and safety is a shared responsibility.

  To ensure everyone’s safety, all BC Public Service employees must:

  • Read, understand and comply with the Standards of Conduct
  • Read, understand and comply with BC Public Service Human Resources Policy 04 - Occupational Safety and Health (PDF, 216KB)
  • Report if they may be impaired, or not fit for duty to their supervisor
  • Report if they observe an employee who may not be fit for duty

  If you have any questions about workplace impairment, talk with your supervisor.

  Resources

  Employees

  Managers and supervisors

  • Impairment in the Workplace: Questions & Answers for Managers & Supervisors (PDF, 224KB)
  • Supervisor's Guide to Recognizing & Managing Impairment in the Workplace (PDF, 376KB)

  Meeting in a Box: Facilitating the conversation about impairment in the workplace

  Get the tools you need to have an engaging and productive conversation about impairment in the workplace.

  Non-medical cannabis facts and resources

  • Get Cannabis Clarity (Government of British Columbia)
  • Cannabis in Canada: Get the Facts (Government of Canada)
  • Cannabis (World Health Organization)
  • Substance use & impairment in the workplace (WorkSafeBC) ​​

  More topics

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