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First Cohort Incorporated Ltd.
Workplace Substance Misuse Consultancy for Enterprise & Public Sector
Welcome to our Insights Hub
Where practical guidance meets real-world experience. We break down everything you need to know about workplace drug and alcohol testing, employee support, and policy best practice.
Our goal is to give you clear, actionable advice you can use to improve safety, compliance, and staff wellbeing, without the jargon.
Whether you’re just starting to review your testing practices or looking to take them to the next level, these articles will help you make smarter choices for your business.
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What is Better Testing and how does it work for you?
If your organisation already carries out workplace drug and alcohol testing, there is a strong possibility that the system you are using is doing you a disservice and is not delivering the results you think it is. Many businesses believe that simply having a testing programme in place means they are protected. In reality, outdated testing models often create risk rather than reduce it. Traditional workplace drug and alcohol testing usually follows a rigid pattern. Someone is
David Bainbridge
Dec 15, 20253 min read
If Your Staff Aren’t Properly Trained, Your Drug & Alcohol Programme WILL Fail
Most businesses buy the testing kits.They update the policy.They send out a memo. And they think they’re “covered”. But the uncomfortable truth is this: the biggest risk in workplace drug and alcohol testing isn’t the employee… it’s the untrained manager running the system. Training is the backbone of a safe, defensible programme. Without it, your system will collapse the moment anything serious happens and sadly, for many companies, that moment is coming sooner than they thi
David Bainbridge
Dec 8, 20253 min read
What’s more dangerous than the office Christmas party? The morning after — when one lapse in judgement can cost an employee their job, or your business a tribunal.
As December arrives, the Christmas trees go up, and many UK employers turn their attention to workplace drug and alcohol support. The workforce see morning-after fit-for-work checks and increased pressure placed on managers to keep their teams safe during the busiest and most unpredictable time of the year. Yet one truth continues to be overlooked: you do not need to discipline or dismiss someone for a single failed drug or alcohol test. A smarter, safer and more compassionat
David Bainbridge
Dec 1, 20252 min read
mpairment Testing: The Smart Shift Every Forward-Thinking Business Must Make
For years, many organisations have relied on post-incident or random drug testing to manage risk. But in a fast-moving, safety-critical...
David Bainbridge
Oct 13, 20252 min read
LEGALITY, CONSENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
When it comes to workplace drug and alcohol testing in the UK, there’s a lot of noise out there. Some of it’s wrong, some of its outdated...
David Bainbridge
Oct 6, 20252 min read
Why Tribunals Are Overturning Workplace Substance Misuse Dismissals and How Better Testing Protects Your Business
Employers across the UK are discovering a hard truth: dismissing someone for being “under the influence” at work is no longer as...
David Bainbridge
Sep 15, 20252 min read
Breaking the Taboo: How to Tackle Workplace Substance Misuse and Support Your People
Introduction Workplace substance misuse is still one of the biggest taboos in UK business. Many organisations proudly talk about...
David Bainbridge
Sep 10, 20252 min read
Vaping in the Workplace: The Hidden Risks Employers Can’t Ignore
Introduction Vaping is often seen as a safer alternative to smoking. But did you know that vape devices can also be used to inhale...
David Bainbridge
Sep 8, 20252 min read
Why Workplace Testing Isn’t Just for High-Risk Jobs
When most people hear the words workplace drug and alcohol testing , they picture heavy industry, transport, or construction. The...
David Bainbridge
Sep 1, 20252 min read
Remote & Hybrid Work: Managing Drug & Alcohol Risk the Right Way (UK)
Hybrid work is no longer an experiment; it’s how a large share of UK organisations now operate. That shift brings obvious benefits,...
David Bainbridge
Aug 11, 20253 min read
What is Better Testing, And Why Your Business Needs It.
When it comes to workplace drug and alcohol testing, most companies follow a predictable path: Test. Punish. Replace. It sounds...
David Bainbridge
Aug 4, 20252 min read
Festivals, Footie and Fatal Errors, The Workplace Risks of Summer Drinking.
With the UK basking in long stretches of sunshine, beer gardens overflowing, Wimbledon captivating fans, the Women’s Euros stirring...
David Bainbridge
Jul 28, 20253 min read
Prescription Medication in the Workplace: Understanding its Impact on Drug Testing
In today's workplace, drug testing policies are crucial not only for safety but also for maintaining productivity and compliance. While...
David Bainbridge
Jul 21, 20252 min read
Understanding Informed Consent in Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing
Informed consent is a fundamental principle in workplace drug and alcohol testing. It ensures employees are made fully aware of the...
David Bainbridge
Jul 14, 20252 min read
The War on Drugs in the Workplace is Over. You Lost. Here’s What to Do About It.
Let me get straight to the point. The war on drugs and alcohol in your workplace?It’s done.You lost. And honestly, that’s not your...
David Bainbridge
Jul 7, 20253 min read
🌿 Medical Cannabis in the Workplace: A Smarter Approach for UK Employers
Medical cannabis is on the rise in the UK — and with it, new challenges for businesses. While recreational cannabis remains illegal,...
David Bainbridge
May 19, 20252 min read
Workplace Drug Testing in the UK: The Most Common Substances Found and Why They Matter
A smarter way to test — keeping your business safe, supportive, and productive. Running a business isn’t just about profit — it’s about...
David Bainbridge
May 13, 20253 min read
Urine, Saliva, or Hair? A Smarter Way to Choose Substance Testing Methods
When it comes to workplace drug and alcohol testing, choosing the right method of sample collection can make all the difference. Whether...
David Bainbridge
May 13, 20253 min read
What Types of Substance Misuse Tests Are Available to Me?
A smarter way to test — keeping your workforce safe, supported, and performing at their best. When it comes to workplace safety and...
David Bainbridge
May 13, 20253 min read
Why we do what we do!
I have worn many hats during my professional career, Training, Health and Safety and Police and I have seen firsthand the affects that...
David Bainbridge
May 13, 20252 min read
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