This really happened at a well known company!

[EnduranceNinja]

I am keeping the name of this insurance company and other names confident. I did not read this off the net this happened to someone I know.

A co-worker was dealing with stressful issues at home. He began to show up to work drunk all the time. Another co-worker noticed this and told his manager of the problem and what ways to help this person. The manager replied he would do nothing as long as he was a "functional drunk" So no confronting this person and trying to get him help or even terminating his job.

And believe me this is a big company that decided as long as this person is a functional drunk on the job it is ok. When I heard this I found it funny at first. Even thinking if I could go to my job drunk as long as I can be a "functional drunk"

It is amazing how other use excuses to aviod confortation in the work place. I use to think that most of corperate America was honest and for the good. But more and more with my job and other stories like this has me wondering.

As you might of guessed the co-worker who reported the problem was the one who told me this. And I trust this person.

Anyone have other stories or experiences to share?

[wellbeing]

In the US, alcoholism has been ruled to be a disability as defined by ADA (American with Disabilities Act), which basically states that an employer cannot discriminate against actual (or potential) employees who are disabled and must make "reasonable accomodations" for such employees. The manager in your story may be avoiding confrontation but really is toeing a well-defined line: as long as this employee is able to perform his/her job (and, since the manager has labelled the employee "functional," we can assume s/he is), any "confrontation" (as I'm guessing you'd like to see) could be construed as "discrimination" under ADA and there are plenty of lawyers would love to jump on that gravy train. (In fact, discussing this employee's issues with other employees has to be done carefully as well, both so as not to be construed as "discrimination" under ADA as well as not violating the "functional alcoholic's" rights to medical privacy under HIPPA. HR is a complicated field.)

This was put into place to protect people from "being kicked when they were down" (i.e., so they wouldn't lose their job as they were coping with a serious condition).

[investorblogger]

While it may be obvious to all and sundry that a person is facing a 'crisis issue' in their life, it seems obvious to me that it's not really any of our business to interfere in, unless that person requests an intervention, or his behavior causes REAL problems for those around him.

It may not be pleasant to deal with a 'functional drunk', but unless this person is causing real problems (ie. illegal, dangerous, or violent...), I can't see what you can do. Confronting the co-worker could lead to even more complications, legal and otherwise, make things far worse than they are already, and involve even more bystanders.

I can't see why you would want to get involved unless you're directly involved already, ie one of the parties in the situation already. If you're not, you should definitely keep your nose out of it.

There are times when being a bystander is the best thing to do, in fact, it is the only sensible course.

[funchy]

It may be that it's very hard to fire a person due to state employment laws and the ADA act. Alcoholism is considered a disease. If he's doing his job and not breaking any laws, can you really fire him with a disease?

It's sad though. I've seen alcoholism firsthand, and it destroys the person and badly hurts those around him/her. I'd feel bad for this person. I might try to befriend them if I am able to, to listen if they needed someone or to suggest places to get help when they're ready.

[Doku]

While he may be a "functional drunk", and not be causing problems on the job, if he is driving to work drunk, then that IS a problem.

[SomeRandomGuy]

Originally Posted by EnduranceNinja

I use to think that most of corperate America was honest and for the good. But more and more with my job and other stories like this has me wondering.

I am glad to see that you are starting to realize that most corporations are far from honest and for the good. Most corporations are focused on doing what is easiest and most profitable for shareholders.

[Alfonso Crawford]

Originally Posted by Doku

While he may be a "functional drunk", and not be causing problems on the job, if he is driving to work drunk, then that IS a problem.

Ooh! Nice technicality!

[silicon toad2000]

there are two sides to every story i guess. Where does the line belong. At what point would an intervention change from a company looking out for it's employees to a company meddling in its employees lives.
Personally I feel to many members of society expect help from various authorities. You cannot force people to seek help, offering help when someone is not ready to receive is generally not terribly effective.