a friend to a fancy new restaurant that my boss really wants to try. So, when I returned she asked how it was and I gave a review of everything I ate, including the glass of wine I had. She look annoyed and, in front of two co-workers, said that if I drank at lunch again (this is the 1st time I've ever left the office for lunch at this job in a year) I shouldn't come back to work in the afternoon. Now I feel mildly humiliated. I know my boss has been a recovering alcoholic for years, but can she really forbid me from working after ONE glass of charnonney? I do sometimes have to meet with clients in the afternoon, but not today. Am I overreacting, or is she?
2006-11-16 05:23:10 · 19 answers · asked by titian29 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
The is no written policy about drinking-we don;t have an employee handbook. Also, part of my job is to be able to tell clients about local restaurants.
2006-11-16 05:55:20 · update #1
You're lucky!
If one of my employees had a glass of wine at lunch and returned to work I would have no choice but to fire them on the spot.
2006-11-16 12:47:55 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends if no drinking during company time is against policy. Typically it's not a good idea to drink if you know you have to go back to work but your boss is a little sensitive about the subject as well. So you made a judgment call and had your wine, you now know that you can't get away with it again. Chalk it up and move on. I wouldn't stress about it. If you haven't been fired over it yet then you won't be. As for the "talk" in front of the other employees, I think your boss was using you as an example that what happened was not OK to her and shouldn't be repeated. Don't feel embarrassed, it'll be forgotten in a week or less. Just don't mention it again. :-) have a good day
2006-11-16 05:36:28 · answer #2 · answered by m4nt4ray 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are. You should never drink alcohol when 'technically on the job', especially if you are returning to work. Besides, if you knew she was a recovering alcoholic, that makes it worse. You should have never mentioned the wine.
By the way, you should never mention to a boss or supervisor that you were just drinking (even a little bit). Most, if not all, companies have zero-tolerence policies on alcohol and (illegal) drugs. You should have been told when you first were hired.
2006-11-16 05:31:19 · answer #3 · answered by Chris 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on two things, 1) if you are on a paid lunch or not, and two if you are not on a paid lunch they can't do anything unless you specifically have in your employee handbook a 0% tolernacy for drugs and alcohol, otherwise 1 glass of wine is not going to impair your judget or work ability, i used to work at Best Buy and right in our handbook it says you are allowed one alcoholic beverage on an un-paid lunch break. Check into it
2006-11-16 05:33:09 · answer #4 · answered by Heather W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, a single glass of wine causes that much trouble?
I suspect you may be correct, that your boss may be over-sensitive. Having said that, obviously, it can still cause you grief! They can have a zero tolerance policy - probably it's in the handbook, but it might not be. Either way, since you've been warned, don't do it again (or, at least, don't confess to it!) And play it straight for a while - your boss may be watching you more closely for a bit.
Best of luck!
2006-11-16 05:27:14 · answer #5 · answered by tigglys 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, maybe she is over reacting a bit. Not your fault she was an alcoholic. She may also be jealous that she wasn't invited. Some companies do however have strict policies against drinking while on the clock. I don't know the situation at your company. I think 1 glass of Chardonnay is nothing though.
2006-11-16 05:27:33 · answer #6 · answered by I know, I know!!!! 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She is obviously jealous. Employers can decide to not allow drinking duriing working hours which includes the time you are at lunch. She is the boss so, it doesn't matter who is over reacting. Why can't you just not mention the wine again?
2006-11-16 14:48:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you made a mistake by drinking alcohol. You can't consume alcohol before work. It doesn't matter if it is just a glass. It impairs your judgement and your ability to make decisions at work.
If she is a recovering alcoholic, then she knows better. You are actually "under" reacting. You have to take this situation more seriously.
2006-11-16 05:28:11 · answer #8 · answered by Webballs 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No she is not overreacting. Alcohol puts companys at so much risk with insurance and liabilitys. What do you think would happen if you were walking thru the office and tripped over somthing and fell. First thing is that they would deny any insurance claim because you were drinking. It can turn ugly very fast.
Yes she could probably fire you on the spot.
2006-11-16 05:55:12 · answer #9 · answered by travis R 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it is company policy to "not drink during working hours" then this includes lunch time and breaks. If this is the policy, then I think your boss is being fair.
2006-11-16 05:27:08 · answer #10 · answered by deerogre 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋