Problem coworker..

[DavidMcmillan]

All of us are in agreement that our personal freedoms are vitally important to us. However, this is where we find most of our resistance to 2A issues. There is a very large component of society that are of the stance that our 2A freedoms interfere with their freedom of Right to Life. That is where we have a lot of work to do.

This isn't the same question as the original posting, but does point to a position we need to have a better understanding of peoples' concerns. This thread came up only a couple of days after a conversation with a father that has significant fear for their children in today's schools. I don't know the answer, but it does deserve thought and understanding of other's position.

 

[Ahall]

Your situation is why I ask if they drug test on every job interview.
If an outfit does not, they are not a candidate to hire me.
Intoxication in the workplace - regardless of the intoxicant - is a safety issue.

Remember, an employer gets the employees they earn. They may have earned this one.

You have a right to a safe work environment.
If the environment your in is not safe, correct the safety issue or find another work environment.
Never mistake a job for a career, but find a new one before abandoning an old one. They are a lot less stressful to find when you are employed, an you are in a better position to negotiate the pay and benefits.

Correcting a safety issue when its part of the cooperate culture is VERY difficult, even with support from the senior management. After 4 years, they are not getting rid of him, without a good reason. He has to cripple himself in a piece of equipment, cost them a major client, or something similar before he is fired.

He will be almost impossible to get to move on voluntarily because most employers wont take him after the onboarding drug test. You can bet your employer knows this as well and that lets them keep him around without pay raises or promotions.



Good luck.

 

[Lightsluvr]

Do an online search for EEOC Toxic workplace. Then follow the instructions.

 

[Okie4570]

With some good documentation, and some good attorneys, it sounds like you would have a good chance at potentially owning the business you work for down the road.

 

[golddigger14s]

HR complaint?

 

[Snattlerake]

Four years of this? Your boss is an idiot. I hate to say it but yeah, I'd quit at that point. You're obviously a good worker and finding another job won't be the end of the world. You should tell the boss - the one that does the firing, not just any boss - that he is the reason you're leaving. You are tired of dealing with his BS.

If they want to keep you they will. If not, their loss.

Could you do the job yourself? As in, hang out a shingle and hire out?

DO NOT QUIT UNTIL YOU FIND ANOTHER JOB!!!


After retirement, I found a great job delivering and picking up laundry. It even paid well for the job I was doing. $18.00 hr (before COVID).

I was told I was the twentienth person to call about the job and the only one to show up for the interview.

It was an actually fun job. I got to meet a lot of people and hand out a lot of dog biscuits to people walking their dogs.

 

[Waltercat]

I didn't read every post here but I suspect any lawyer reading this is chomping at the bits for a paycheck
from your employer and his stupidity. That's if you have documented your concerns and complaints.
Open and shut case these days.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

I thought we were pro individual freedoms…..

I think everyone

I'm 100% individual freedoms until it interferes with my freedoms. A safe workplace is one of them. If one's addictions get in the way of my safety to go home at night, we have an issue.
Graduated in 69 during the peak of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.
To this day have never taken any drug nor prescription medicine not in my name, but have passed more joints than I can count down the row in concerts and don't give a crap on how one wants to live their life as long as it doesn't interfere with mine or my family's life.
That is my definition of individual freedom.
I was a huge participant in the sex and rock and roll scene though.

I made the assumption you were joking in the first post. To be clear I do not care what a coworker does on their time off, as long as it is not infringing upon anyone's rights. THC Vapes? That's their business. If they are sober at work and can function, good for them. If they want to smoke or vape poison ivy, it has no effect on me as long as they are doing it on their own time. Unfortunately we now view THC and Marijuana as a "safe" alternative to alcohol. It may very well be, but I have seen people who imbibe heavily and it appears they have more personal issues that may be resolved by cutting back on usage. Government for many has replaced morality, ethics, politeness, and common sense. Sad that anyone has to deal with issues like @RockHopper is experiencing.

 

[RockHopper]

The problem is over. I told the foreman first thing this morning that I wouldn't continue under the circumstances. He tried to assure me that they were already looking for a replacement, and cautioned me to "just be patient".

I told him point blank, that the moment dude hit his vape pen, I was gonna turn the truck around and come directly back. We didn't even make it around the block before that's exactly what happened.

My boss was in a meeting with the office heads and the new owner, when I walked in and said "yup...didn't make it around the block". When the owner asked him what was going on, he mischaracterized the issue by telling him that I was mad, and making it sound like a personal issue. The owner came out and started to say "we don't have to be friends to work together" when I shut him down by interrupting and saying "I'm done working with intoxicated people".

He looks over at Scott and says...are you drunk. No, I don't drink.
I said he isn't drunk, he's stoned.
Are you stoned? Yeah, a little bit.
The look on his face when the owner immediately replied ..."get to stepping".
Geez, it was priceless.

 

[Ahall]

HR already had the paperwork going to ditch him and were just looking for a replacement.
Then you set an expectation with management and your prediction occurred like clockwork.
Icing on the cupcake was kid was observed imbibing and confessed in front of multiple witnesses; including a new owner, that he was stoned while on the clock and corroborated your account.

You got the information in front of decision makers in an environment where it could not be ignored or swept under the rug.

The new owner was never going to get a better chance to send a message to the entire workforce about their attitude regarding impairment in the workplace.

Sometimes the timing is the most important thing.
Sounds like it worked out for you..


Just one thought - what if they did not fire him and chose a lesser reprimand.
Were you prepared to walk?
Remember, if it had gone differently, and you did not quit, you would lose all power and credibility in future negations. The same is true if they believe you were bluffing and got lucky.

If anyone ever asks, you had something lined up with an old friend, and it's probably still available.