To ask someone to come with me

[Beachbreak2411]

Hi!
so - I have a bit of a history of alcohol abuse and recently I’ve got so much better!!

however. Last week at work I was erroneously accused of smelling of alcohol and sent home by my manager who my boss has already said “she finds it hard to work with you” (because I won’t let her bully me or the others). I have a meeting scheduled with her and her deputy (who is also her friend and they spent quite some time together today during our shift). Who can I bring with me to this meeting who will ensure things are fair?

But in the circumstances you describe it sounds to me like you need a fresh start elsewhere.

Also this: clearly you have experience and long service in the hospitality industry, which is crying out for good people at the moment.

Perhaps this is a good motivator to start looking for other opportunities.

This. Join a union.

OP, had you been drinking? You say your colleagues didn't smell alcohol. But would they be honest, did you have a drink?
With regards to who you should take, I agree that you need to find out if this is a disciplinary meeting or not. Whether you can have someone there to take minutes.

I wish people would stop saying this. While it's a good sentiment in general, most unions (including the one I work for) won't touch existing cases. The representation side of things is a bit like insurance- you have to buy the policy before you can claim on it.

No that wasn’t me

No I hadn’t. I start at 6am 😂 I did, once when I worked an evening shift and she’s got this on me. She dislikes me a lot as I stand up for the others and will not let her bully them. When she calls them in for meetings I insist on being there for them. I offered to take a breathalyser test and have since purchased some so this can’t happen again.

I love my job.. other than her and she’s leaving soon. But I think this may be the kick to leave.

Sorry if I missed this info in the thread...when is the meeting? Good luck.

The boss of the whole place. General manager who has always said to me his door is always open to me; if I want to talk about work or other things. I’ve been in his office in tears about how she treats me. I’ve been in his office with other staff crying about she treats them. One of my team were in hospital on life support and she asked me for a picture to prove I’d been to visit.

It’s Friday! So bit of time to get my ducks in a row! X

Does your contract state that there is a zero tolerance policy for alcohol?

If I was your union rep I would advise you to write up an account of the conversation as soon as you can, and where possible to go back through any notes you may have in your diary/emails about previous conversations with her

Thank you. I have 2 years worth of entries in my diary from her being nasty to me or one of my team. Pretty much every shift with her has an entry!

Write those up to take with you on Friday if you can.