coworker lost his job
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: TN
Posts: 365
coworker lost his job
I was starkly reminded today what misuse/abuse of alcohol does to people and family. A very well liked and hardworking coworker was let go today for being drunk on the job. I wasn't real close to this person and didn't really suspect anything except about a week ago I thought I smelled something on his breath. I didn't have any real proof and I wasn't going to accuse without proper evidence. Well, turned out that that's probably what I was smelling. The person was drunk and acted strangely last week and some coworkers had to report it. It is a sad reminder how someone in the grip of alcoholism is loosing their livelihood and for some reason I feel down today about this. It had nothing to do with me but I can't help but think how depressing it is with alcohol abuse. I know I can't feel guilty about someone else but I feel bad about using this as a reminder for myself. It's like I'm using his misfortune to boost my own resolve to stay sober. I'm coming up on 17 months sober in three days. Just had to vent.
I have been fired for being drunk/hungover at work. It was my first day on the job so I had to meet everyone, shakes hands etc. Well, of course someone was going to smell something on me when you have to meet 20 people. I didn't consider that the night before. For many years, I was able to hide away in my cubicle on mornings after a night of boozing.
In hindsight, it was for the best I got busted the first day. That way it was less humiliating since no one really knew me and I avoided all the shoddy work, lateness, and poor performance reviews before finally getting fired.
In hindsight, it was for the best I got busted the first day. That way it was less humiliating since no one really knew me and I avoided all the shoddy work, lateness, and poor performance reviews before finally getting fired.
I think it makes perfect sense that it would affect you.
You may have not known this person very well, but you know the disease of alcohol very well.
Sounds like you are a very caring and empathetic person and this recent incident just hit home for you.
Kudos on using this experience to your benefit and lets hope your former co-worker uses this incident to his benefit as well.
You may have not known this person very well, but you know the disease of alcohol very well.
Sounds like you are a very caring and empathetic person and this recent incident just hit home for you.
Kudos on using this experience to your benefit and lets hope your former co-worker uses this incident to his benefit as well.
I have been fired for being drunk/hungover at work. It was my first day on the job so I had to meet everyone, shakes hands etc. Well, of course someone was going to smell something on me when you have to meet 20 people. I didn't consider that the night before. For many years, I was able to hide away in my cubicle on mornings after a night of boozing.
In hindsight, it was for the best I got busted the first day. That way it was less humiliating since no one really knew me and I avoided all the shoddy work, lateness, and poor performance reviews before finally getting fired.
In hindsight, it was for the best I got busted the first day. That way it was less humiliating since no one really knew me and I avoided all the shoddy work, lateness, and poor performance reviews before finally getting fired.
That fear is what helped propel me into sobriety. I just couldn't bear to explain to my husband why I got fired.
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,831
I'm sorry that this has you feeling low...unfortunately I think we can all relate to the situation so much.
I feel for the guy and his family. I never had anything like that happen, but like charleesavedme's post pointed out , who knows what the future may have held. I had walked the edge of the blade soooo long.
Take care of yourself this week as there will likely be a cloud over you at work for a little while.
I feel for the guy and his family. I never had anything like that happen, but like charleesavedme's post pointed out , who knows what the future may have held. I had walked the edge of the blade soooo long.
Take care of yourself this week as there will likely be a cloud over you at work for a little while.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: TN
Posts: 365
I think it makes perfect sense that it would affect you.
You may have not known this person very well, but you know the disease of alcohol very well.
Sounds like you are a very caring and empathetic person and this recent incident just hit home for you.
Kudos on using this experience to your benefit and lets hope your former co-worker uses this incident to his benefit as well.
You may have not known this person very well, but you know the disease of alcohol very well.
Sounds like you are a very caring and empathetic person and this recent incident just hit home for you.
Kudos on using this experience to your benefit and lets hope your former co-worker uses this incident to his benefit as well.
unfortunately I lived this scenario, without getting too deep, it was almost 8 hours after my last drink that I showed positive on a test, I was not 'drunk' nor had I been drinking on the job. But if it ain't .000 have a nice day. Interesting that my coworkers were all interviewed and to the person they said I showed no signs of drinking.
guess it was my density.
guess it was my density.
I was starkly reminded today what misuse/abuse of alcohol does to people and family. A very well liked and hardworking coworker was let go today for being drunk on the job. I wasn't real close to this person and didn't really suspect anything except about a week ago I thought I smelled something on his breath. I didn't have any real proof and I wasn't going to accuse without proper evidence. Well, turned out that that's probably what I was smelling. The person was drunk and acted strangely last week and some coworkers had to report it. It is a sad reminder how someone in the grip of alcoholism is loosing their livelihood and for some reason I feel down today about this. It had nothing to do with me but I can't help but think how depressing it is with alcohol abuse. I know I can't feel guilty about someone else but I feel bad about using this as a reminder for myself. It's like I'm using his misfortune to boost my own resolve to stay sober. I'm coming up on 17 months sober in three days. Just had to vent.
You are compassionate, that is clear. But don't let that make you feel guilty for using this as motivation. It won't do you any good to repeat his mistakes. Use this to help insure you never do.
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