MEPMIS

Magunkról

The reason: In the context of the global marketplace and the need to remain competitive, inappropriate use of substances by employees is presenting an increasing number of European employers with problems in their workplaces. These include increased sickness absence, lower levels of performance and reduced productivity of staff.

In small and medium size enterprises line managers and supervisors have a key role to play in developing and promoting good corporate practice and minimising the effects on the company of inappropriate use of alcohol and drugs by staff.

However it is line managers and supervisors, who may well use alcohol or drugs themselves, who are required to take action when someone they manage uses substances in a way that impacts on their ability to do their job. Unfortunately, guidance for managers on how to act in these circumstances is often inadequate, incomplete or missing altogether, and many companies do not possess the tools to enable managers to deal with substance use at a corporate level.

The aim of the MEPMIS Project is to develop a training resource (web based, & face to face for trainers and managers in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that will equip them with the appropriate skills and sufficient knowledge and understanding to enable them to deal both proactively and reactively with the issue of substances and their impact on work / employment.

The project has four objectives.

1. to identify the learning and skill needs of line managers in European SMEs in terms of addressing substances use, work and employment
2. to use the experience gained in two UK training projects to develop a training resource
3. to identify and incorporate innovative experience from the UK, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland into the resource
4. to develop the resource to publishable condition – including textual development, piloting, evaluation, publication, launch and dissemination

The partnership: The agencies involved in the project all have extensive experience in the development and implementation of workplace programmes which are designed to improve the health, wellbeing and performance of employees. The partners include a university, a research agency, a web design and IT company and three consultancies, all of whom specialise in organisational and employee performance.

The outcomes: The project will deliver three main outcomes. These will be:

1. the creation of a dedicated website which will provide an e-learning platform
2. the presence in each of the partner countries of expertise and capacity to develop and provide ‘face to face’ training courses
3. resources on the subject of substances and work which can be used by line managers and supervisors in SMEs and larger companies as well.

If you are interested in the training resources that have been developed as part of the MEPMIS project please contact work2health for more details.