one of my guys got a DUI and missed work, thoughts?

[ezbtr]

Re: one of my guys got a DUI and missed work, thoughts?

This is a sticky subject.

I used to be in law enforcement. aside from that I have friends, bosses and co-workers busted for DUI's.. I worked on the "front lines" and its a sad, gut wrenching battle that ruins family's, live's and careers.

Years ago when I was a cop, the statistic was everybody who gets a DUI had driven on average 10 time's with out getting caught... additionally, with all the MADD, SADD, DADD.. BADD (boaters againsts drunk drivers.. just made that one up) its well documented about societies zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs or booze. you have to be pretty stupid these days to even risk it..

1st. if you get a DUI they yank your licence. (in colorado) and its the end of story. if your contractor needs a licence, he cant perform the job.. he's out..

2nd. if he calls in sick, for questionable reasons (you suspect because he was drunk or hung over) its his sick time.. I have called in sick for questionable reasons too.. mostly to go for a MC ride, boating.. and I diddnt want to burn a vacation day. (younger years, and I never get sick.. knock on wood)

3rd. while you may want to be a friend to this guy, thats admirable. but you cannot get involved in his personal issues. It will blur the line between employer and employee. you can help out by giving him information to help him kick it..... but the bottom line is.. his personal life is his life and if it doesnt break any of your business rules.. thats just the way it is. let the justice system deal with his mistakes.. you just focus on your business.. if he can perform the job and isnt drunk at work.. let it go.. if he's drunk at work.. let him go.. you cant fire him for what he does on his own time.. if he gets a dui and it doesnt affect his work.. and you fire him.. you've opend yourself up for a lawsuit..

if this is his 1st dui.. he most likely doesnt realize how much time this is going to take away from his job.. he will burn all his vacataion, all his sick time.. its going to wreck his insurance rates.. its going to wreck his life.. you dont realize how much you rely on a car until you cant drive... if its his 2nd or god for bid 3rd.. he's looking at manditory jail time (colorado) and losing his licence for up to 5 years.. and then having a breathalyzer installed on his car.
alot of people end up losing their jobs anyway because they have to take too much time away.. and it affects business.... bottom line.. you might have to let him go anyway because of all the classes he'll have to take, and time he'll miss from work... but you cant get mired down in his personal issues.. keep it strickly business and do what best for business.

those are my words to a tee, I've been thinking, I had another guy like 5 years ago, I had to take him to the ankle bracelet facility, thank God he has since givin up drinking, and smoking and is doing well
thanks

 

[ezbtr]

Re: one of my guys got a DUI and missed work, thoughts?

Carphunter i understand what your going through. One of my guys under me has gone MIA for the last 3 weeks. Know one has heard from him. We hired another guy to replace him but still not telling anyone what hes up to has put me in a pickle with back logged work.

there was a guy like that before I got there, a week MIA on a booze streak, then another, he was very talented, but I had to explain to my guys, and customers, he couldnt work for me. I also fired a guy early this year, a hardcase "not gonna follow rules" guy, didnt drink, but made bad decisions labor/business wise, now i have LOTS lees downtime w/ systems, because all decisions go through me....and hell he but his boots on my desk when doing a one on one review.....thought he was too good to fire......my ***.........

 

[Mark42]

Re: one of my guys got a DUI and missed work, thoughts?

..... One of my guys under me has gone MIA for the last 3 weeks. Know one has heard from him. ......

Oh, yeah! Nothing like a good 3 week bender to relieve the stress of everyday life.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: one of my guys got a DUI and missed work, thoughts?

something is amiss here,, he took the presumptive test on the road and passed,, different states have different laws but in my state they can not take blood unless you agree to it,, or there is a serious accident with bodily injury.
Maybe he was driving so badly that the officer suspected he was on drugs because his b. a. was not that high,, they also could have done a gaze test ,, if he flunked that test they may have suspected drug use due to his inability to drive, or due to an odor of controlled substance use in the vehicle.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: one of my guys got a DUI and missed work, thoughts?

Mark he actually took off about 5 weeks ago. But took 2 weeks holiday to start with.

Hes also a nasty drunk. The kind of guy that a wife would shoot and get away with it due to the abuse she would have first went through.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: one of my guys got a DUI and missed work, thoughts?

something is amiss here,, he took the presumptive test on the road and passed,, different states have different laws but in my state they can not take blood unless you agree to it,, or there is a serious accident with bodily injury.
Maybe he was driving so badly that the officer suspected he was on drugs because his b. a. was not that high,, they also could have done a gaze test ,, if he flunked that test they may have suspected drug use due to his inability to drive, or due to an odor of controlled substance use in the vehicle.

Not here. If they want to to take you in for a blood/**** test they can.

 

[MrBossman]

Re: one of my guys got a DUI and missed work, thoughts?

In North carolina you are given a field test which includes blowing into a hand held breath analizer. If it shows you are over the limit you are then arrested and taken to the police station where you are given ANOTHER blow test on a bigger machine operated by a special trained cop and those results are what hangs you in court. The blood test is only required for very serious (fatal) accidents and not done at the police station.

 

[bassman284]

Re: one of my guys got a DUI and missed work, thoughts?

"And, yes, if you had two glasses of wine/beer at dinner you were legally drunk. I know people that got DWI's for stuff like that."

Well, not really. Google Blood Alcohol and try out some of the calculators. A 100 lb. woman would be legally drunk having two drinks in 1 hour with no food. I weigh 220 and my BAC would be around 0.020 with that amount.

I understand being passionate about drunk driving, but let's be accurate.

 

[ezbtr]

Re: one of my guys got a DUI and missed work, thoughts?

"And, yes, if you had two glasses of wine/beer at dinner you were legally drunk. I know people that got DWI's for stuff like that."

Well, not really. Google Blood Alcohol and try out some of the calculators. A 100 lb. woman would be legally drunk having two drinks in 1 hour with no food. I weigh 220 and my BAC would be around 0.020 with that amount.

I understand being passionate about drunk driving, but let's be accurate.

very cool, I checked it out for me.
Basically my guy has no more chances, I do think at times like when I fired the last guy, they think they are irreplacable, 1-3 weeks I can find a replacement. I also see signs of denial, seen it before, "I wasnt drunk", "I'm not wrong" when they clearly are...I always tell to not argue with me when they know they are wrong.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: one of my guys got a DUI and missed work, thoughts?

Back when I was a supervisor at my old job, I didn't put up with it. My philosophy is that while keeping and dealing with a good working dead beat, your passing up a dedicated person that is looking for employment. Employees are similar to fish,,there are keepers and then there are many that needs released.

During my time as a supervisor, I found out that there are 2 types of employees. Ones that are there to provide a service for the company and ones that are there for a paycheck. Those that are there for a paycheck usually have problems with call offs and absenteeism. I've been called cold hearted, but my policy on such problems allowed me to run my job much easier which always pleased my boss. When the boss is happy and gets good results, my job security is much greater.

Keep in mind EZ, while you try to help this guy out, you could be passing up an excellent opportunity to find someone better without the problems. Good Luck as I know it is hard to separate humanitarian ideals over what is best for the business.

 

[kkr26]

Re: one of my guys got a DUI and missed work, thoughts?

Two glasses of wine? If he was popped DUI and has a drinking problem I think he had a little more than that. Unless he is talking about BIG glasses.