I have a woman who has worked for me for about a year. Often she looks "doped up," her speech is sometimes slurred and her mouth is sometimes twisted. She appears lethargic nearly all of the time. She told me that she takes sleeping pills almost nightly and regularly takes Valiums and some kind of Valium-like liquid that's cheaper than the pills. I wasn't at work to see it but the other day she was sent home by HR in a cab because the night before she had taken 3 Benadryls and when she got to work she could barely function. She's a very sweet, cooperative person and I know she has a lot of problems at home single parenting a loser 19 y.o. son who causes her a lot of grief. She's also single and I don't think she dates or anything. What can I do, if anything? I'm really worried about her.
2007-03-02 04:21:12 · 7 answers · asked by TJ 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Well, first off let me tell you that I think you are a wonderful boss for putting this much care and effort into one of your employees. Companies with people like you are a dying breed and you should be commended if for nothing else... for being you. If I were you, I would plan an intervention. Try to contact family or friends and have a sit down with her. Tell her that she needs to clean up before she makes her self sicker and something happens. Its obvious that you dont wish to fire her, just get her help. It may be rough on your company, but you can tell her that her position will still be there for her when she gets back. Just get a temp for the time being. I do not have too much experiance with interventions (the one that I went to was not one that I planned) so I dont know all of the proper steps to take and the way to phrase the words that you use with her. However, if you were to call your local hospitals they will give you a list of all the NA (narcotics annamous) facilities in your area and you can contact someone there about how to set this up. Most of the NA officers have been through one drug problem or another and have a better understanding of her situation. Most of them are also not in paid positions. Again, I really give you credit for being a good person and a careing boss. Good luck, and I hope that you can really help this woman who is hurting right now.
2007-03-02 04:33:35 · answer #1 · answered by shadowsthathunt 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try asking her if she has a problem, that you have noticed the way she has been acting and are worried about her. If her work is suffering because of her pill popping, then maybe you should tell her to seek help, or face a possible termination. Most of the time the only way someone will admit that they have a problem is when they realize that what they are doing has gotten out of hand. Maybe telling her she might lose her job will shake her up a little. Its a tough situation, and I wish you the best of luck.
2007-03-02 12:32:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you seriously want to help her then you need to approach her in a non-threatening, non-judgemental way. Don't tell her that you think she has a problem. Just tell her objectively about the behaviors that you're noticing. Ask her if there's anything you can do to help her. Many people would have a problem opening up to a boss, however, so she may not want to talk to you about it. And if she does open up, be prepared to help. Is there anything that you are actually willing to do for her? Is there a way that you could actually help her out? If not, then you're just going to make her feel threatened.
2007-03-02 12:33:16 · answer #3 · answered by true blue 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your company has health insurance offer to send her to rehab if you really want to help?
If you don't, give her a copy of the work place compliance papers she probably signed when she was hired and remind her that drugs are not tolerated... and use that as her first warning that if she doesn't get help, she will be let go because you have a business to run that is not funded by a private charity...
2007-03-02 12:31:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
She needs help and is screaming out for it!!!!
If you're a large company that has the resources to help her, then step in!!
If you're a smaller company, you must voice your concerns not only to her but to HR. This is hurting your company and her.
2007-03-02 12:33:19 · answer #5 · answered by The Cheminator 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't say anything - This person needs to get tested for anything illegal, then if positive tell them to get treatment or get a new job. Tough love - sorry
2007-03-02 13:06:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think we need to talk...
2007-03-02 12:29:54 · answer #7 · answered by mostly_forfun 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋