stillmovingforward
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Post by stillmovingforward on Apr 25, 2014 22:08:07 GMT -5
I could be your boss. And I would really want you to take me to one side when no one is around and tell me your concerns. You don't need proof because you are concerned, not accusing. I LOATHE calling family and my boss to explain accidents and/or near accidents. And the paperwork is a nightmare! I, as a boss, should have enough knowledge of employment law to understand that you cannot just accuse someone of drugs or alcohol abuse. But I will watch, monitor, or even pull the employee to one side and ask them outright if there is a problem that I, HR, or EAP can help with. Sometimes, just having a higher up at work notice aids a worker getting help. And I would NEVER throw an employee under the bus by disclosing who 'tipped me' to their problem. My employees aren't paid enough for that abuse!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2014 22:59:28 GMT -5
We have had some confidence breeches with management before. It makes me hesitate unless I know I know something for certain.
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truthbound
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Post by truthbound on Apr 26, 2014 4:44:15 GMT -5
I was thinking put a piece of tape on it and mind your own business. If this woman is creating an unsafe work environment, it's everyone's business. Except she isn't. And there is no evidence to show she is so it is no one's business. Don't you have a church coffee clatch to go to?
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Apr 26, 2014 18:57:29 GMT -5
Are you absolutely certain it's alcohol and not acetone?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2014 19:02:20 GMT -5
Are you absolutely certain it's alcohol and not acetone? I would notice if that was disappearing and if it was acetone she could keep a good buzz going all night.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Apr 26, 2014 19:04:43 GMT -5
Are you absolutely certain it's alcohol and not acetone? I would notice if that was disappearing and if it was acetone she could keep a good buzz going all night. Could be ketoacidosis from diabetes. Just saying....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2014 19:07:42 GMT -5
Yah, I'm not sure. Nothing unless/until I am.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Apr 26, 2014 19:10:27 GMT -5
I'm not following. If what was disappearing?
It's not unusual for a diabetic person's breath to smell of acetone.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2014 19:13:00 GMT -5
I don't know if her breath smells like acetone, alcohol is all I can tell.
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Apr 26, 2014 19:16:04 GMT -5
Acetone has a completely different smell (more like nail polish or paint remover/solvent). It's different than consumable alcohol (booze) odor.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2014 19:44:25 GMT -5
I know what acetone smells like. I'm just saying I can't distinguish on her breath if it is acetone or not. Maybe someone else could. I can't.
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truthbound
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Post by truthbound on Apr 27, 2014 4:37:42 GMT -5
Except she isn't. And there is no evidence to show she is so it is no one's business. Don't you have a church coffee clatch to go to? Several people have noticed her possibly acting in a somewhat impaired manner so there is some possible visual evidence. And I don't go to church... But I do thank Jesus for giving us jelly beans... So report her. Oh wait, you aren't actually there. You are just someone on the internets.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Apr 27, 2014 5:06:32 GMT -5
I would notice if that was disappearing and if it was acetone she could keep a good buzz going all night. Could be ketoacidosis from diabetes. Just saying.... Well of it is and she is acting in an impaired manner then this still needs brought to her attention either way. It isn't the job of the OP to figure out the problem. Just report what is going on that seems amiss and its up to management to get to the bottom of this.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2014 12:22:47 GMT -5
You have a duty to report what you know. It seems that what you know is that someone else thinks there is a problem.
I would tell the manager that there was an allegation of someone smelling like alcohol & could they spend some time on that shift interacting with the team to see if they observe this since a concern was raised. If you don't have an on-site assigned supervisor during manufacturing shift work, then you may be in violation of OSHA
Worst Case the intoxicated worker causes serious injury to someone else. The person that told you says they did so & you didn't report it anywhere. Causes risk for you personally + possibly the company if you are see as being in more of a leadership role than the person that told you.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2014 12:42:11 GMT -5
We have a supervisor on the shift. My dept.supervisor is not on the shift.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2014 11:26:01 GMT -5
If she was suffering from ketoacidosis she would have been hospitalized before long.
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Apr 28, 2014 18:39:04 GMT -5
Several people have noticed her possibly acting in a somewhat impaired manner so there is some possible visual evidence. And I don't go to church... But I do thank Jesus for giving us jelly beans... So report her. Oh wait, you aren't actually there. You are just someone on the internets.I know this is OT but how many internets do we have. Inquiring minds want to know
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truthbound
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Post by truthbound on Apr 29, 2014 4:59:23 GMT -5
Just one internets. This one.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2015 15:59:42 GMT -5
Well unfortunately I was right about my co worker. Fortunately she hasn't injured herself or anyone else but she got busted by our manager this week. She got a week suspension. I talked to her today. She's very embarrassed. I reassured her that no one knows about this except for management and me (only because I had to take over her work duties the day she got busted.) She's also sounded very defensive . " She didn't have much, perfectly capable of doing her work, etc". I didn't have much to say about that except to say " the rules are the rules and you won't get another chance, you know that right?" She said she does. I really hope she gets it. She needs this job.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Aug 7, 2015 16:09:54 GMT -5
What makes you suspicious if you don't have proof? Does that question make sense. Do they smell, show outward signs, etc? I ask, because that can be how you tell someone. "Hey, manager, normally I am not looking to cause problems for anyone, but this could be a safety issue. I just walked past Bob and he smelled like alcohol. He was just about to get on the forklift and I thought you might want to know in case something was going on. That's all I wanted to say. Heading back to my work area now." I had an employee approach me in this exact manner. I knew they weren't trying to be a busybody, but instead honestly concerned about safety. I went out and smelled the same thing the employee did and was able to deal with it. That's exactly how you do it. Express a concern. Particularly about the employee's safety, or yours. Then it's up to the supervisor/manager to do their own confirmation of your concerns and take appropriate action. It would be even more impactful if others were to express similar concerns to the boss.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Aug 7, 2015 16:42:33 GMT -5
If this woman is creating an unsafe work environment, it's everyone's business. Except she isn't. And there is no evidence to show she is so it is no one's business. Don't you have a church coffee clatch to go to? I spent over 20 years working in food processing plants and I vigorously disagree with your contention that this woman is not creating an unsafe situation and that it's none of the OP's business. Most physical safety hazards only affect a small group of people. This woman is responsible for ensuring that food processing equipment is properly sanitized. Improper sanitaiton in food plants is an issue that affects thousands of customers and easily has the potential to kill dozens. How well this woman does her work is critically important to all of us. One of the challenges of sanitation is that one often can not tell if the job was done adequately simply by looking at equiment. I would not want to rely on the sanitation work performed by someone who may be under the influence, or otherwise may not be able to perform their sanitation duties adequately. This woman's supervisor needs to be informed so they can take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that she has done, and is capable of doing, her job adequately. Our lives depend on it!
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Aug 7, 2015 16:44:41 GMT -5
Except she isn't. And there is no evidence to show she is so it is no one's business. Don't you have a church coffee clatch to go to? I spent over 20 years working in food processing plants and I vigorously disagree with your contention that this woman is not creating an unsafe situation and that it's none of the OP's business. Most physical safety hazards only affect a small group of people. This woman is responsible for ensuring that food processing equipment is properly sanitized. Improper sanitaiton in food plants is an issue that affects thousands of customers and easily has the potential to kill dozens. How well this woman does her work is critically important to all of us. One of the challenges of sanitation is that one often can not tell if the job was done adequately simply by looking at equiment. I would not want to rely on the sanitation work performed by someone who may be under the influence, or otherwise may not be able to perform their sanitation duties adequately. This woman's supervisor needs to be informed so they can take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that she has done, and is capable of doing, her job adequately. You're wasting your breathe.
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Aug 7, 2015 16:51:23 GMT -5
Thanks for the input and good lucks. I'm still waffling. This so sucks. Can you get another coworker to gently tag team her? At least the hate wouldn't be all on you. Plus she then would see that multiple people actually are noticing.
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Aug 7, 2015 16:54:05 GMT -5
Oh never mind. I need to finish reading before I comment.
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Aug 7, 2015 16:55:30 GMT -5
Wait. It took over a year of her coming in drunk for her to get caught?
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Aug 7, 2015 16:57:20 GMT -5
Wait. It took over a year of her coming in drunk for her to get caught? Now that did surprise me. My guess is it was noticed during the past year but management probably got tired of her coming to work intoxicated and finally put her on notice.
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Aug 7, 2015 17:00:35 GMT -5
Wait. It took over a year of her coming in drunk for her to get caught? Now that did surprise me. My guess is it was noticed during the past year but management probably got tired of her coming to work intoxicated and finally put her on notice. Yeah. But that's a lot of chances. I could see if they gave her a few chances and then started documenting and finally now have enough to fire her. But giving her a year before even saying anything is a but much.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Aug 7, 2015 17:44:40 GMT -5
How about right now, you pull her aside and tell her what you have observed. Put her on notice others have noticed it too. If your employer has an EAP, give her the phone number. If she is offended by your comments, so be it. The ball is always in her corner.
If she continues, then go to management. Management will/should be discrete and not point out the person who squealed on your co-worker.
That might be the best way. I just need to gather up some courage and prepare my self for working closely with someone that hates me ?
Dealing with this issue is your bosses' job. Not your's. Report your concerns to the boss and let it go from there. If you confront your co-worker, you're going to be the bad guy. And if things so south, you will be blamed, even if you had nothing to do with what happens in the future. Stay as far away from direct involvement in this situation as you can while still getting the issue addressed.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2015 18:11:11 GMT -5
Now that did surprise me. My guess is it was noticed during the past year but management probably got tired of her coming to work intoxicated and finally put her on notice. Yeah. But that's a lot of chances. I could see if they gave her a few chances and then started documenting and finally now have enough to fire her. But giving her a year before even saying anything is a but much. I don't think she came in intoxicated often but often enough to get caught. I think she may have learned as many alcoholics do, how to hide it and she is pretty good at it. I did say something about it to my supervisor after she called me one morning and while slurring her words said she was thinking of calling in sick but maybe not, and would I be ok on my own that night if she did? I told her I would be just fine, please stay home. I called my supervisor and told her if she showed up to work what to expect and thank God she didn't come in that day. I felt crappy doing that but I knew for sure after that conversation that I wasn't imagining things and that she was actually still considering coming in to work like that. As far as the food safety issue, we have multiple checks by multiple people and a really low probability for any nasty stuff with the type of manufacturing we do. I am concerned that she will blow it but that will be all up to her now.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Aug 10, 2015 9:53:34 GMT -5
I am concerned that she will blow it but that will be all up to her now.
Unfortunately, you can't fix or stop her. Only she can fix/stop herself. I've tried to help people and until/unless they're ready, nothing works. You're a good person to be worried about her though.
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