liability for smoking on the job?

Question

I want to start off by saying im a lifeguard at a town beach. One day I went and smoked a joint with two fellow employees. This occurred on the grounds. I was relieved from work for two weeks but now it has been brought to higher officials regarding liability. i live in NY if that matters any. I was wondering what could happen to me? Should I just quit the job?

To clear everything up… nothing occurred when I was on duty, like a accident, so I cant be sued right? The most they could do was fire me I assume? That would suck but I know this was a terrible idea but It was an in the moment kinda thing and I was done actually being ‘on duty’ for the day.

I don’t think they want to bring up charges against me smoking pot, Im thinking maybe they get all the liability info together shown us, make us sign something and next year we wont be hired back. Even though you guys saw I was irresponsible, I work with 10 people at a time and there were 2 people on the beach, and I was done with my shifts for the day

Answer 1

You were impaired, and endangered the lives of others. That may not have been enough to get you fired, but the fact that you performed a criminal act on their property put them in jepardy of being sued should something have happened while you were representing them. For instance, if you were on duty and a little boy drowned because you were smoking a joint (neglecting your duty), then they could have been sued by the parents.

By suspending you for two weeks, they have your acknowlegement and admission that you participated in an illegal act. Now, the jurisdiction can prosecute you within the confines of the law pertaining to your offense.

My advice is not to quit your job, however voluntarily seek rehabilitation counciling from any reliable source (church, local government, private facility). And above all, no more smoking joints or other drug use.

Good luck to you.
If you are brought to court, you will show the Judge that you have willingly sought personal change. That may work in your favor.

Good luck.

Answer 2

You mean you were a lifeguard. I agree with the majority on this, quit the job. On a side note on or off duty doesn't matter. If you're not going to take the job seriously then you need find something that demands less responsibility. I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate it if the person coming to rescue you or a loved one wasn't at the top of their game because their judgement was impaired by a controlled substance. Next time think.

Answer 3

What can happen? They could have called the police and had you arrested. You were put in charge of watching over people's LIVES and you went and smoked a joint?

You need to go ahead and resign from the job and stop doing drugs before you get a criminal record that will stay with you forever.

Don't be suprised if they find a way to pull your lifeguard certification...I guarantee, you won't have it when the situation is over.

Shame on you!

Answer 4

It will look better on your job history if you quit rather than got fired. Also, they would be justified in reporting you to the Red Cross, or whoever certified you as a life guard.

If anybody gets hurt, even if you're not directly involved, it could be used against them by an attorney who points out that the town employs known drug users as proof of negligent hiring.

I need to point out that you need professional help. If you can't control your urge to smoke a joint at work, then you have a serious drug problem.

Answer 5

You should quit immediately and not tell them why, dont give them a letter dont explain why just quit. You dont want anything in writing. I agree with the other posters but I wont be as harsh.

Seriously the least of your problems is where you work. Because of your type of Job I dont think the police would look at this as you just getting stoned at work.

Quit your job and hope you have saved up enough, you might need a damn good attorney to keep your *** out of jail.

Answer 6

Ouch. Smoking pot isn't stupid nonetheless. Letting it stand interior the way of existence and funds is stupid, yet smoking is a private determination that should not be punished. the two way, right here you're, being punished. i do no longer understand what a DAC checklist is, yet i'm assuming you won't be able to easily lie, or which may be my easy answer. right it extremely is a guideline, nonetheless: you recognize that there are labs that do drug checking out. you will get examined, get copies of your sparkling checklist, and take it with you once you persist with. regardless of if employers could drug attempt you beforehand of employment, that would not help you plenty considering you won't be able to even get to that component. the perfect attitude is honesty, somewhat shame, and exhibiting which you have replaced. so which you're taking your little checklist, and enable human beings understand up front which you're in charge. Employers could be monsters at situations, yet they are human beings too. somebody will understand your difficulty.

Answer 7

You're toast! Better quit before you get fired. Do you want to explain to a future employer why you were fired? or would you rather show that you quit for whatever reason, and please do not contact them if they ask. You are a liability because you did drugs on the job. Their logic will be, "if he'll do it once, he'll do it again". Not very smart, you've got big balls or you're not very mature. Don't do drugs during work hours, or come in messed up during work hours. This is one of the biggest reasons for firing someone these days. If you file for Unemployment benefits, you get NOTHING.

Answer 8

Quit or get fired, you're toast.

To be honest, what were you thinking? Doing weed off time is one thing but on a job where you're responsible for potentially saving lives?

Answer 9

Well, since you were involved in illegal activity, I would hope that they would fire you and press charges against you.

I can't believe someone responsible for people's lives would think it a good idea to get stoned. How irresponsible can you be?!?!?

Answer 10

They will probably fire you if you were on duty and abandoned your post or worked impaired. If a person died because you were impaired they would be liable.