When to Speak Up/Shut Up

[mistycshore]

I posted about this in my home forum but thought maybe folks here would have some thoughts. I've never tried meth and know very little about it except what I've learned from TV and from watching a friend do a nosedive on the stuff.

I worked with a guy last night, clean cut, nice person type. I'd heard from another employer that he was a recovering meth addict, and he told me and our trainer as much last night too. The trainer departed about 1 am. About 2 a.m., he went outside for a smoke, and he came back smelling really . . . smoky, but not like cigarettes. I kept trying to decide if it smelled like marijuana - it was different from MJ but it was that strong a scent. Shortly thereafter, he was tapping his foot, but it wasn't like people normally tapping a foot - his whole body jerked with the force of it, seizure-like. He seemed to get that I was aware of this strange motion, and it was like he'd try to stop, but the attempt wouldn't last 20 seconds. His foot or feet were in constant, jerky motion.

Okay, the bad part for me was that we were sharing a cash drawer, on the orders of the trainer who is teaching everyone the new computer system. Like I said, he seems like a nice guy, but the thing about meth addicts (if he is an active one) is that then tend to run out of money and then do really stupid things (like steal). I was worried that if we came up short, that there was no way to prove it wasn't me. There is a camera that could not have helped catch his hyper-hyperness. Anyway, the drawer came out fine.

My problem: Do I tell my boss of my suspicions/concerns. I'd really hate to be labeled as the company snitch. I'd really hate for someone else's drawer to suddenly come up terribly short. I'd really hate for my employer to get ripped off or, even worse, a customer.

Am I overreacting? What would you do?

[Wantingit]

Well,

If he offered up to you and your trainer that he is a recovering addict I think saying something to your trainer wouldn't be out of line. I wouldn't think of yourself as being a snitch. I think it is being responsible not only to your employer but to the recovering addict. If he's struggling you speaking up could save his life.

[smacked]

Hmm. Honestly? It's things like that that make me very uneasy ever telling anyone that I'm in recovery, or used to have addiction issues.

I personally don't think it's any of your business. If he's in recovery.. if he's not and actively.. time will tell that for you.

[meditation]

I agree with Smacked. It's like we are never ever given a second chance, if something goes wrong well it must be the addict that did it. I am hopefully going back into a career of nursing again. I would hate if I was constantly under a microscope forever

. I would if I could never tell anyone either that I was in recovery because of this very sort of thinking. But you have to think too, and please don't take this wrong just look at this from where your trainer is sitting... are you not too in recovery? Would not the blame for a theft be placed on your shoulders as much as his because you too are in recovery? People don't think highly of addicts or alcoholics, each in active addiction would run over their grandmother.

So unless you would want the same sort of scrutiny placed on you then I would do what Smacked said and let it play out, give him the benefit of the doubt. And this is said in terms of looking at the entire situation from a panoramic view. I would think your boss would know if you've been working there for a while that if the register came out short that it probably was not you.

[PeachyClean]

Anyway, the drawer came out fine.

My problem: Do I tell my boss of my suspicions/concerns. I'd really hate to be labeled as the company snitch. I'd really hate for someone else's drawer to suddenly come up terribly short. I'd really hate for my employer to get ripped off or, even worse, a customer.

I agree with Smacked and Meditation.

I think your over reacting...looking for a 5th leg on a cat.
Maybe he's just hyper active...let it go.

[Wantingit]

I think the thing to remember here is whether or not you chose to tell anyone your in recovery or not it doesn't automatically put you under scrutiny and if it does as long as you are clean you have nothing to worry about. Letting it play out could cause issues for yourself and your employer and the recovering addict if this person is in fact struggeling.

At the least I would talk to this person and let them know you noticed some behaviour that made you question whether they used. If they are using and deny it, it will eventually catch up with them just wouldn't want something big to go down (i.e stolen money) and have you caught up in it that's all.

[Firehazard]

Wow, Keep your eye on the cash drawer.

[Lily]

I would let it play out too. IF things go awry then maybe speak up, but don't jump to conclusions quite yet. I was a meth addict when I was waitressing 85-87 and never stole from the cash drawer....just an FYI... blessings! Sheila

[emmer]

I'd take daily notes (at home, and open to no one but you) and see what happens.

If the cash drawer comes up short (make sure it's not human error) then yes, share with your boss.

Try to give the benifit of the doubt, but don't be nieve either

[Bamboozle]

Hey, misty.

To me it wouldn't matter what the other person did/their background/whatever. I don't trust other people with my job security.


Whether or not the guy is using is his business and in my opinion doesn't have anything to do with the job.


You are, however, right to be concerned about ringing on the same drawer with any employee. What are the cash policies for your company? Have you adressed your concerns with your trainer/boss about sharing cash with anyone? I'd demand to know who has accountability. Perhaps it lies with the trainer?

[mistycshore]

Bam, you are right. We were on the same drawer because the trainer messed up setting up the shift for the night. Anyway, if it ever happens again, I'll just insist on having my own drawer.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

[MagicMan08]

I would give him the benefit of the doubt. I for one would never mess with my employment if I could wholeheartedly help it. It was what kept me buzzed up

[Wolfchild]

How you deal with it at work is up to you.
How you deal with it mentally, emotionally, &
spiritually is what really matters most (IMO).
What have you learned from working the Steps and
how can you apply that to strengthen your recovery?
Have you talked this situation over with your sponsor?

[mistycshore]

Wolfchild, not everyone who posts here is a 12-stepper.

[christin1225]

Originally Posted by Bamboozle

Whether or not the guy is using is his business and in my opinion doesn't have anything to do with the job.

Except for the fact that he may be using on the job. So, I disagree. It does have something to do with the job.

What are the cash policies for your company? Have you adressed your concerns with your trainer/boss about sharing cash with anyone?

Excellent point!

I would like to make just one more observation. If you are absolutely certain that he's smoking something other than a legal substance (pot included), in my book he's not in recovery.

[Bamboozle]

Originally Posted by christin1225

Except for the fact that he may be using on the job. So, I disagree. It does have something to do with the job.

Hello, christin.


May be using. It is so hard to prove someone to be under the influence in a work setting. The responsibility with those matters lies with the person in charge.

People who appear to be under the influence could have a medical condition instead.

Employers know to be careful in accusing people of being under the influence unless it's obviously clear or the employee actually confesses.

[Vintersemestre]

Just because someone takes drugs it doesn't make them a thief. What would you think of yourself if you were having this anxiety because he was black or had long hair and combat boots?

[mistycshore]

Originally Posted by Vintersemestre

Just because someone takes drugs it doesn't make them a thief. What would you think of yourself if you were having this anxiety because he was black or had long hair and combat boots?

I think your analogy is terribly flawed (and that's putting it nicely). Being black, having long hair or wearing combat boots in no way compromises a person's mind and morality the way that using meth does.

It never fails to irk me when someone pulls a B.S. P.C. move in order to make a Nasty ad hominem attack rather than face their own issues. And where do you get off presenting being a meth addict and being black as equivalent??

I'm just fine with me, Vinter.

How are you doing with you?

[Vintersemestre]

People look at me like that all the time - every day. It's not the object of the prejudice that matters, it's the cycle of thought that makes it come out that is destructive. I took issue with it because it is not socially acceptable to judge people based on their appearance any longer, though it seems fine in all circles to judge drug users based on their appearance. I didn't make any equivalency between black/meth users/odd-looking people as far as their general entity is concerned, you did that yourself in a hackneyed effort to derail my point - the thought process that produces prejudice is the same no matter what the object of it is.

Afterthought here, I'm the LAST PERSON on these forums that would normally make a PC comment (at least I admit what it is). I'm so far right I consider myself a reactionary nationalist; pointing out minor/inane hypocrisies is just something I do.

I've never been better, feeling thuper, thanks for athking!