How does your employer deal with alcohol issues in the workplace?

[NapoleonsNose]

I am a rep and have been dealing with someone who has serious alcohol abuse issues which have affected their ability to do their job and their relationships with other colleagues. They have been suspended once and been put on a rehabilitation programme which was looking like was helping them to confront the problem. However I have just been informed by HR that they have been suspended again today for the same thing. I feel desperately sorry for the employee who has a wealth of other issues compounding the problem too. I really don't know how to help them any more and am fearing the worst now.

Very few workplaces would offer more than one round of support. I would have a conversation with HR and see where there thinking is - it might be better for this individual to resign than be dismissed.

I was in this situation 10 years ago with a serious alcohol problem. It didn't help that the office was very male orientated (commercial property) and did all its business down at the pub!! I ended up resigning just before I was pushed. It was horrible because when I was on form, I was really good at my job.

Unfortunately the drinking took over and I was useless and should have been fired way before I left. I was a disgrace - don't mind admitting that now. And the stupid thing is that if I had that job now, I would absolutely love it. Just goes to show, you don't know what you've got until its gone. Anyway I'm 9 years sober now so things have def. improved.

Anyway all I can say is that in this situation, it would be far better to get it sorted out sooner rather than later and suggest to the person that they resign. You cannot do a job properly if you are dependant on drink and it is not fair on the other members of staff having to carry the person.