Going on the pop at lunchtime

DorsetDude

DorsetDude

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Does anyone or anyone know anyone who regularly (3 times a week or more) drinks alcohol at lunchtime when they work 9-5? And do they think its acceptable?

We've got a geezer who goes every day except friday, and usually comes back worse for wear an hour and a quarter to 2 hours later, 20dB louder than when he left and starts shouting at his computer that strangely doesnt work as well during p.m. times. If I ever need to have a meeting involving said individual I always ensure its before midday.

In this modern enlightened health and safety mad age I have to say I am surprised this is not clamped down on more. Ok he's not driving or operating heavy machinery but it's not the 1950's anymore is it.

The only time Id even consider it is if theres a do on, I'm not driving that day and we're not expected to be coming back to work.

Thoughts?
 
So am I. Personally, I very rarely have a drink before 6pm local time, with the only real exception being a sip of the free raki that gets brought to the table after a meal in most tavernas and restaurants in Crete. I have been known to sit at the bar waiting for "Ouzo time " (6pm) but only in jest!
 
Even though the bloke isn't in a position where he could be a danger to himself or others, I'm surprised the company puts up with it.

At the very least he is not working as well after lunch than before. If his job involves dealing with other companies or customers it could easily affect the company's trade.

I know the lunchtime is your own time but its unacceptable to go to work in a condition that affects your ability to work.

Suppose the guy turned up in the morning in a similar condition, would the company let that go too?

Dave
 
Reading back what Ive written it does come over a bit strong maybe, the guy is not reeling drunk as such, you can just tell that he's not had diet cokes. As i say the volume is often up and you can detect the forced trying not to slur words sometimes. I suspect he's having 2 pints maybe. On the bad days maybe 3.
 
There are a group of 6 guys in my office that do this 5 days a week as there is a pub literally 90 seconds walk away.

Its frustrated me for quite some time that our HR dept dont seem to be doing anything about it. They come back loud and obnoxious, and invariably a few minutes passed their 1 hour lunch time slot. They do not work in the same 'team' as me, but I cant help feeling sorry for their colleagues.

It doesnt feel acceptable to me to drink during working hours (lunchtime or otherwise), so I never do it. The only time I have a drink before normal end of work hours, is when we shut down for Christmas, and the company let us finish at 1pm on Christmas Eve. I dont have to go back in the afternoon.
 
Does he drive home at the end of the day? If he's slurring, he sure as hell shouldn't be driving!
 
hmmm... surprised your company (unless very small possibly) doesn't have several policies, such as misuse of computers, financial crime (not exlusive to money laundering ) , H&S is a given, misuse of drugs / alcohol at work (which for us would include turning up p*ssed, or returning to work p*ssed.) (for p*ssed read suitably inebriated to cause a difference in general attitude / behaviour - i.e. not necessarily staggering around, though you mention louder and slurring... ) and therefore if so, snr mgt / hr should step in and address the issue either through gross misconduct or as is becoming more frequent a 24/7 freephone number where someone on the other end can help with all personal issues from debt advice to substance addiction.

roughly about once a month I will meet up with a mate for a bite and either a pint or a glass of plonk, however the role is a non driving non heavy machinery one, and sometimes will be a diet coke.
 
neil_g said:
is there any way you could anonymously express your concerns to HR?
Click to expand...

Not that I am immediately aware of to be honest.

Nod said:
Does he drive home at the end of the day? If he's slurring, he sure as hell shouldn't be driving!
Click to expand...
Yes, about 2 hours after return normally maybe longer. Is it 1/2 pint you dissipate per half hour? if so he could lose 2 pints worth of intake. So if he had 3 pints would then be legal.
 
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DorsetDude said:
Not that I am immediately aware of to be honest.


Yes, about 2 hours after return normally maybe longer. Is it 1/2 pint you dissipate per half hour? if so he could lose 2 pints worth of intake. So if he had 3 pints would then be legal.
Click to expand...


It depends on what he has had to

a) drink
b) eat
c) body size
d) metabolism
e) a host of other things - any illness / medical conditions etc....

However the general rule of thumb for an average sized male of good health is (from what I remember) a unit per hour. One unit being 10ml of alcohol - eg, one 25ml of 40% whisky etc... That is by no means to be followed as to "how much can i have before I can" etc... just what I was told by a traffic plod some while (many years) ago.
 
We used to do it on Fridays but we took the boss with us so it was o.k... And he used to end up in a worse state than the rest of us!


Steve.
 
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i think a lot depends on the amount drunk - when someone leaves people often meet for a pub lunch on their last day so it would be normal to have a pint of real ale, but the person described sounds more like he goes on a boozing session instead of just a pint!
 
I was a bit surprised when I read this too. I thought those days had gone, long ago.

I've never worked in an office environment in the UK, but I have a couple of friends who remember the days of regular lunchtime boozing sessions in London years ago. My own experience of this sort of thing was in South Africa. Long 'client' lunches, when no-one went back to work, or getting back to the office just to kill time until the pub opened at 4.30 were pretty common. Looking back, I suppose it was all a bit reprehensible, but it was fun and in another era when SA still had a rather 'colonial' attitude to a lot of things. We all drove home, but drinking and driving was regarded as - at worst - a misdemeanour, if you were unlucky and got caught, and neither the police or the courts took it very seriously unless you were completely vrot or had a serious accident.
 
it would be a dismissal offence for us.

its okay to drink at lunch time in moderation (although i don't) but returning to the office half cut would be a big no no
 
It happens occasionally. Ocasionally being someones birthday, or some other significant occasion. Then it would only be one pint, two if we are feeling particuarly fruity.

But every week, three times a week?! I don't know anyone that would hold onto their job if they were to do it.
 
As said already

The company should have an Alcohol and Drug policy in place and possibly what's generally referred to as 'With Cause Testing Procedures'.

Looking at our HR docs we have the following grouped under 'alcohol'

· General Guidance (Drug & Alcohol Policy)

· “With Cause” Testing Procedure

· Employee Health Education & Support (Drug & Alcohol Policy)

· Line Manager Guidance Presentation (Drug & Alcohol Policy)

· Attendance Management Policy & Procedure

· Disciplinary Policy & Procedure
 
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