Is it unfair to dismiss an employee for smelling of alcohol?
Unfair to dismiss an employee for smelling of alcohol? Is it unfair to dismiss an employee for coming into work smelling of alcohol? Many employers now have a policy which makes it clear that drinking alcohol at work, or being under the influence at work is an act of gross misconduct.
Why do I smell alcohol when I go to work?
The claimant denied arriving to work inebriated claiming he had merely drunk a few beers the night before. The investigation was referred to Occupational Health (OH). It was discovered at the disciplinary hearing that senior members of staff had previously expressed concern at smelling alcohol on Mr McElroy.
What should you do if your coworker smells like alcohol?
According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the cost of absenteeism from alcoholics ranges from $33 billion to $68 billion a year. If a coworker smells like alcohol, or you suspect that they could be abusing alcohol during or before office hours, there are specific actions you can take to best handle the situation.
Why did Mr McElroy smell like alcohol at work?
In reaching this conclusion, the employer noted that several managers had smelt alcohol and Mr McElroy had given conflicting reasons why he may have smelt of alcohol – he had a couple of beers the night before, his aftershave could be the cause, he had eaten garlic, the hospital alcohol gel could be the cause.
Unfair to dismiss an employee for smelling of alcohol? Is it unfair to dismiss an employee for coming into work smelling of alcohol? Many employers now have a policy which makes it clear that drinking alcohol at work, or being under the influence at work is an act of gross misconduct.
What does it mean when someone smells like alcohol at work?
The first rule to remember is that even if they smell of alcohol it doesn’t necessarily mean they have been drinking at work or are under the influence of alcohol. The smell could be from the night before, from prescription medication, or strong aftershave/mouthwash.
When to report a coworker smelling like alcohol?
This depends on the basis of the report you give to HR. There is a large difference between reporting someone for suspected alcoholism vs. reporting someone for drinking on the job. If you see someone actively using drugs or alcohol while on the job, you should report it to HR immediately.
Can a manager accuse an employee of drinking on the job?
Managers should know the telltale signs of on-the-job drinking, but they should never accuse a worker of being inebriated, Shea said. “It’s possible that an employee with an illness or who is on legal medication may be too impaired to work safely or effectively,” she said.