Office party drunk...should he be fired?

Question

I recently attended my husbands office Christmas party, it was a great time. One guy though ruined it for everyone, he was sloshed when he arrived and spent the night harassing all of the women at the party. Every one from me (8 months prgenant) to, to the boss' son's girl friend (17), to another man's 60+ year old wife. He was right in our personal space and saying some pretty raunchy things, but nothing was done. As he was shot down by numerous women and one of the guys finally stepped in and told him to back off he became violent and started slamming bottles arround. Eventually he laid hands on another one of the boss' sons and well there was a bit of a brawl and he took a swing at he boss. The night ended with this pig of a man being hauled away to spend the night in the drunk tank and everyone else feeling rather un-Christmasy. The following Monday though this guy wasn't fired! He was allowed to make superiors and company look like fools am I wrong to think he should be canned?

Answer 1

Well, he should be, but likely his superiors are in the process of figuring out whether there will be any legal ramifications from doing so. They will probably wait until he does something else - here, the employer supplied the alcohol, so there is a slight chance the employee will make some kind of bogus argument that the employer is partially to blame.

Answer 2

This is the number one reason that most companies have done away with the annual party. Drunks screw up everything.

I have a zero tolerance for drunks, can't stand them and stay away from them. However, this was an out of work event, and to fire him from his job would certainly be unfair. Had he shown up to work drunk and did what he did, then no question, fired on the spot. But the company was having a party where alcohol I assume was being served, so there has to be some responsibility lying with the company. If they don't want alcoholic related problems, have a dry party. Yeah it stinks for those that know how to drink responsibly, but it usually is the few that ruin things for the many.

Answer 3

This behaviour sounds disgusting. You should ultimately consider yourself lucky that you only have to spend an hour or so a year with such an out of control freak. Its true, he is his own worst enemy and eventually he will pay for his actions.
If not getting fired, the company should at LEAST have taken some disciplinary action against him. Xmas parties are meant to be fun and cheery with the odd tipsy reveller, but everything has a limit and this man crossed them all... if your husband's co does not discipline that, they are allowing a major fracas to be brushed under the carpet and encouraging others to let loose in future too. Perhaps he may have spoken privately to his boss, but he needs to at the very least, make a public apology to his colleagues and everyone else unfortunate enough to witness his drunken revelry.

Answer 4

Yes, he should be fired. Even if his misconduct did not occur during working hours, it was on the company property and at a company event. He is required to behave with common courtesy. Even if the people he sexually harassed were not employees, his actions created a "sexually charged" environment in the workplace. His attempted violence on company guests and to his boss is enough by itself to get him fired.
It is in the company's best interest to rid itself of such a boorish and potentially dangerous person. Your husband should urge the boss to take action, out of respect for the safety and comfort of the other employees.
Remember, ultimately, this man disgraced and embarrassed no one but himself - the shame belongs entirely to him.

Answer 5

He should be but he was'nt on the clock so I doubt they can fire him for that. He needs to watch his butt at work though. I think they'll have him under the proverbial microscope till he's gone.

Answer 6

this man was a selfish idiot. atime of joy and happines. and amisserable shell of a man spoils it . must have big problems and his biggest is alcohol. He should be fired and taken to a dry out center.