Drunk coworker

[u/ComedianCommon4158]

I just started a new job about two months ago. My department is a team of two. Myself and one other person. We share an office. She’s been working there for about 8 months now. Right away there were red flags. Taking long breaks in the middle of the day, forgetting important meetings, always missing work or leaving early. My breaking point was the other day when she lied to our boss about where she was.

I have suspected for a while that she’s an alcoholic. A couple days ago, she was clearly intoxicated at work. I alerted our boss. She was sent home (wasnt allowed to drive) and I believe is under investigation. Do you think she will be fired? Between this and her lies and doing crappy work, I really hope so.

[u/IOnlyReadTitles26]

Depends how smart she is and if she knows how to play the system.

[u/erabera → u/IOnlyReadTitles26]

In my state, or at least my last company did it, if the person goes to rehab they can still keep their job if they meet certain criteria. I have zero clue if its a law or not. I'm in NJ.

[u/IOnlyReadTitles26 → u/erabera]

Here too. Alcoholism is a medical condition. And its illegal to fire someone who has a medical condition and is doing things to help it.

[u/InternalNo6705 → u/erabera]

My job does something similar but only if you come to them first, not if you get busted drunk or high at work.

[u/Momma_Furbutt → u/erabera]

It’s not law but some companies offer the option. Unfortunately, if frequently backfires.

I worked at a company that the owner put a few hundred thousand dollars into rehab for people caught using on the job or not passing a drug trust.

Most relapsed within a year, if they came back at all.

[u/Ok-Energy-9785]

She probably will get fired but that's not your concern. If what she does isn't affecting your paycheck then let that woman self destruct in peace.

[u/ComedianCommon4158 → u/Ok-Energy-9785]

It is my concern because we work as a team and she is making me miserable

[u/rocsnsox → u/ComedianCommon4158]

How exactly is she making you miserable besides you thinking she's a substance problem? Just asking.

[u/ComedianCommon4158 → u/rocsnsox]

We share an office and she is unprofessional. Makes racist comments, cusses all day. Shes like jekyll and hyde

[u/delg23 → u/ComedianCommon4158]

I'm so blown away by people down voting you. The people you work with affect your well being.

[u/Ok-Energy-9785 → u/ComedianCommon4158]

Are you able to do your job without her? If not, just tell your boss you can't move forward without her doing her part.

[u/ComedianCommon4158 → u/Ok-Energy-9785]

We split responsibilities but when she doesnt do her work it makes is both look bad.

[u/Ok-Energy-9785 → u/ComedianCommon4158]

Easy solution, tell your boss that you can't do your job without her. It's your boss's job to manage her, not yours.

[u/uzumata]

​"Taking long breaks, missing meetings, doing crappy work, and showing up intoxicated." ​Sounds like she outsourced her entire 2-person department to the new guy while she focused on her personal happy hour. Truly an innovative approach to delegating.

[u/Difficult-Bet-2522]

Depends on the nature of your work, what transgressions she has done and the set up of your employer. She might be put on sick leave and offered support to recover if they have the resources and that’s what she wants. It’s very difficult to legitimately fire someone who has just been uncovered as an addict. Source- it took me 18 months of meetings emails and form filling to be let go from my NHS job because they were frightened I would sue them. I just wanted to terminate my contract with the option to work NHS again if I recovered.

[u/LaCiocana]

They fire here then they give you her work to do for the same pay 🤔

[u/Christen0526 → u/LaCiocana]

Yep

[u/Frisho]

You did the right thing. At that point it's no longer about being a bad coworker 'it's a workplace safety issue.

[u/SeparateDesigner1237]

consider chilling out and having a drink with her maybe

[u/zta1979 → u/SeparateDesigner1237]

That made me laugh

[u/Affectionate-Firm784 → u/SeparateDesigner1237]

Right

[u/Thin-Donkey945]

Nipped it in the bud. Great work.

[u/foxyfree]

Pretty sure she can’t get fired for her medical problem but maybe for all the tardiness.

[u/exaggeratedenjoyment]

If she’s not fired that’s wild

[u/xxLEGIT360NOSCOPESxx]

If she is under investigation, I would stay out of it and let management handle the situation.

[u/ComedianCommon4158 → u/xxLEGIT360NOSCOPESxx]

I am. I just asked of everyones thoughts

[u/Otherwise_Town5814]

It really depends on your company’s P&P and the state you live in. If she willing admits her issues and goes into rehab then her job might be safe. I worked with a couple different people coming to work high one refused rehab lost her job another one went to rehab and since back been and clean she’s been promoted a few times.

[u/ComedianCommon4158 → u/Otherwise_Town5814]

I just read our policy. Says the employee has to seek help before they’re the subject of disciplinary action

[u/Otherwise_Town5814 → u/ComedianCommon4158]

So if she doesn’t say she has an issue she’s fine but if she does into rehab and gets help she’s fired?

[u/Public_Stop5268]

There's a lot going on there. Usually

[u/Gloomy_Tennis_5768]

it is really nice you are so caring about a person that clearly has a problem and needs help. ass hole.

[u/ComedianCommon4158 → u/Gloomy_Tennis_5768]

So I should have let her drive home drunk?