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AIBU?

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Colleague drinking at work

159 replies

Chasa · 27/01/2026 14:30

My colleague is known for liking a drink and I and others have smelled drink on him on previous occasions. However, over the past fortnight his behaviour has become more hyper at work as if he wasn't just nursing a hangover but was actually still perhaps drunk? Another colleague suggested that maybe he was drinking at work so we decided to go and look in his backpack and there was an empty kids drinks bottle with a tiny bit of wine left in it. So he is drinijng on the job. So do we do anything or mind our own business? He's a nice guy on the whole. I'm thinking say nothing, I need advice.

OP posts:
Aquarius91 · 27/01/2026 14:40

Who the fuck do you think you are, rifling through his personal belongings? You sound like a nosy busybody, pretending to be a concerned colleague. How dare you!!

Chasa · 27/01/2026 14:39

When you find something by snooping, you kind of don't have anywhere to go with it because technically I am in the wrong.

OP posts:
Zebralele · 27/01/2026 14:39

What can you do without admitting you looked in his bag? Presumably you would get in trouble for that while he can just deny there was wine so it is just you getting disciplined or whatever you want to happen.

Dextersgoneovertherainbowbridge · 27/01/2026 14:39

How does he get to and from work? Dies he drive?

Chasa · 27/01/2026 14:38

chunkyBoo · 27/01/2026 14:36

Searching someone’s bag without consent is actually illegal

I realise that, in hindsight now. I'm beginning to wish we hadn't done it.

OP posts:
Chasa · 27/01/2026 14:37

He works in stockroom (retail) no forklifts, but uses pallet trucks and heavy lifting, manual work etc.

OP posts:
chunkyBoo · 27/01/2026 14:36

Searching someone’s bag without consent is actually illegal

Robertplantgoddess · 27/01/2026 14:36

Can you raise it with the colleague directly?

KimuraTan · 27/01/2026 14:34

What kind of job: customer facing, handling equipment, any risk to others? I’d be tempted to raise it with management and hope your colleague is offered help.