Asked was I drinking at work

LegacyUser

Just wondering what approach to take with this situation.

I work in retail. My manager approached me last week, on the shop floor, and asked me had I been drinking.
I was shocked and said absolutely not and why was he asking. He said he had found an empty bottle of alcohol in a bin. He asked me 3 times was I sure that I hadn't been drinking. I vehemently denied it. I asked him to show me where the bottle was and he said he said he didn't matter because he had disposed of it.
He made no comment on my behavior or why he suspected that I had taken a drink.

I have worked for the company for 8 years and have a flawless record.

The more I think about it, the more annoyed I am.

Do I file a formal grievance with a more senior manager?

antix80

Depends. Were you drinking?

Dial Hard

Did they ask everyone who was working at the time or just you?

Augme

I would anyway. Id be very unhappy if I was treated in that manner. It's also the high of incompetentence from your manager and if I was the senior manager I would definitely want to know to.

Needs Must

Was it your bottle in the bin?

Infernal Racket

Are you a bit of a soup monster in general or was there some other reason he suspected it might be you?

boogerballs

antix80 wrote: »

Depends. Were you drinking?

Needs Must wrote: »

Was it your bottle in the bin?

Why would you both ask if he was drinking, I think its clear from the OP that he was not drinking.

I would be raging if my manager asked me that in what can only be taken as an accusation, especially if you have a flawless 8 year record to back it up.

punisher5112

Is there a HR?

I would not be happy with these questions or comments unless warranted.

Were you acting different to normal?

Were you out the night before?

There is so much more we need to know.....

If it's true you weren't and you were working correctly then I understand the upset.

You should get one of these devices that checks for alcohol in your breath. Local chemist. Now, there's your homework.

Donnielighto

If they asked others it's fine. If it's just you or a few an not all asked I'd be asking mgr about it or above.

MayaMaya

Hi all,

Thanks for all of your replies.

No, it was absolutely not my bottle. I have never drunk alcohol at work.
I spoke to a few of my colleagues about it and none of them were asked. That's what really annoys me. I mean, it would be gross misconduct and an instant dismissal if I was, that's why I want to file the official grievance in case he ever asks me something like this again. I want it on record.

He had no reason to suspect me. I was just doing my job as normal. I hadn't taken a drink the night before so there was no smell of alcohol off me plus this happened at around 5pm in the day.

There's an HR department in head office in Dublin but I work in a rural branch of their supermarket chain. There is a grievance procedure to follow so I think I'll file it on Tuesday with a more senior manager.

I just wanted to get some feedback on whether I was overreacting or not.

I found his behaviour so unprofessional and without reason. To not even call me into an office to ask me in private was awful. I was so embarrassed to be asked such a thing out on the shop floor.

Ash.J.Williams

boogerballs wrote: »

Why would you both ask if he was drinking, I think its clear from the OP that he was not drinking.

I would be raging if my manager asked me that in what can only be taken as an accusation, especially if you have a flawless 8 year record to back it up.

Its actually not clear

Ash.J.Williams

MayaMaya wrote: »

Hi all,

Thanks for all of your replies.

No, it was absolutely not my bottle. I have never drunk alcohol at work.
I spoke to a few of my colleagues about it and none of them were asked. That's what really annoys me. I mean, it would be gross misconduct and an instant dismissal if I was, that's why I want to file the official grievance in case he ever asks me something like this again. I want it on record.

He had no reason to suspect me. I was just doing my job as normal. I hadn't taken a drink the night before so there was no smell of alcohol off me plus this happened at around 5pm in the day.

There's an HR department in head office in Dublin but I work in a rural branch of their supermarket chain. There is a grievance procedure to follow so I think I'll file it on Tuesday with a more senior manager.

I just wanted to get some feedback on whether I was overreacting or not.

I found his behaviour so unprofessional and without reason. To not even call me into an office to ask me in private was awful. I was so embarrassed to be asked such a thing out on the shop floor.

It was inappropriate..report him

Bet one of your co workers pointed the finger at you, are you sure you didn’t have a little tipple? Did you drink before on the job?

MayaMaya

Dav010 wrote: »

Bet one of your co workers pointed the finger at you, are you sure you didn’t have a little tipple? Did you drink before on the job?

Seriously?! Yes, I'm sure.
I wouldn't be asking for advice if I had taken a drink on the job. And no, I have never taken a drink at work. Ever.

Rubberchikken

then go through the correct channels to report this.
is he in the habit of questioning colleagues like this?
surely a manager would know how to behave correctly and professionally in this situation.
well id hope they would but maybe im a touch naive .

op hope you get this sorted.

Truckermal

Dav010 wrote: »

Bet one of your co workers pointed the finger at you, are you sure you didn’t have a little tipple? Did you drink before on the job?

FFS did you read through the thread at all you condescending individual....

@OP definitely report that's awful and totally unprofessional of him...

MayaMaya

Thanks. I appreciate the advice.
I'll file the complaint on Tuesday.

Truckermal

Truckermal wrote: »

FFS did you read through the thread at all you condescending individual....

@OP definitely report that's awful and totally unprofessional of him...

No need to get so leery about it, no one would blame the op if she had a quick swig to get through the day, bottoms up and all that.

Seriously, unless I missed it, the op didn’t say she was accused of drinking or that it was said in front of others. A bottle was found, she was asked if it was hers.

What’s with the two accounts on the same thread op?

Always Tired

Why would the OP be asking for advice if they had been drinking, ffs. Stop with the semantics, 'oh it wasnt clear.' Cop on

There's no point asking for advice on here, 80% of replys is always ppl jumping down the OPs throat to blame them for whatever the situation is, no matter how they have to twist things to do it.

Is there CCTV in the area the bottle was found?

MayaMaya

Dav010 wrote: »

No need to get so leery about it, no one would blame the op if she had a quick swig to get through the day, bottoms up and all that.

Seriously, unless I missed it, the op didn’t say she was accused of drinking or that it was said in front of others. A bottle was found, she was asked if it was hers.

What’s with the two accounts on the same thread op?

Because I was trying to go anonymous, but posts were taking too long to be approved so I didn't want folk that were good enough to reply to me waiting for days to see my responses.

MayaMaya

Always Tired wrote: »

Why would the OP be asking for advice if they had been drinking, ffs. Stop with the semantics, 'oh it wasnt clear.' Cop on

There's no point asking for advice on here, 80% of replys is always ppl jumping down the OPs throat to blame them for whatever the situation is, no matter how they have to twist things to do it.

Is there CCTV in the area the bottle was found?

I don't know because he wouldn't tell me where he found it. When I asked, he said it didn't matter because he had gotten rid of it.

Stanford

If what you say is absolutely true and if the Manager had no reasonable doubt to single you out then you should lodge a complaint via the Grievance Procedure for bullying.

MayaMaya

Dav010 wrote: »

No need to get so leery about it, no one would blame the op if she had a quick swig to get through the day, bottoms up and all that.

Seriously, unless I missed it, the op didn’t say she was accused of drinking or that it was said in front of others. A bottle was found, she was asked if it was hers.

What’s with the two accounts on the same thread op?

I wasn't asked if I owned the bottle. I was asked 3 times if I had drank what was in the bottle.

CramCycle

MayaMaya wrote: »

I found his behaviour so unprofessional and without reason. To not even call me into an office to ask me in private was awful. I was so embarrassed to be asked such a thing out on the shop floor.

If it was done privately I wouldn't have liked it but doing it on the shop floor was out of line, huge potential embarassment for you (and the company) go to HR and follow the procedure. Is the manager always a tool or was this a first

MayaMaya

CramCycle wrote: »

If it was done privately I wouldn't have liked it but doing it on the shop floor was out of line, huge potential embarassment for you (and the company) go to HR and follow the procedure. Is the manager always a tool or was this a first

He's a tool, in my opinion. Very erratic with his moods.

Stanford

Here is the relevant Code on which to base your complaint

https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/what_you_should_know/codes_practice/cop5/

TCM

It's peculiar that a manager would ask you such a question if u had a flawless record over 8 years.

MayaMaya

Stanford wrote: »

Here is the relevant Code on which to base your complaint

https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/what_you_should_know/codes_practice/cop5/

Thank you.

MayaMaya

TCM wrote: »

It's peculiar that a manager would ask you such a question if u had a flawless record over 8 years.

Yes it is. Very.
He can be really nice to me one day, and really abrupt and rude another day.

Collie D

Even if you don’t want to make a formal complaint against the manager I would like to have something on record to say there was no wrongdoing on your part in case this (or something else) comes up again.

Stanford

Stanford wrote: »

If what you say is absolutely true and if the Manager had no reasonable doubt to single you out then you should lodge a complaint via the Grievance Procedure for bullying.

You need to do some research on what constitutes bullying, incidents must be repeated, a one off is not bullying.

Stanford

Dav010 wrote: »

You need to do some research on what constitutes bullying, incidents must be repeated, a one off is not bullying.

Agreed, thats why I suggested the OP make a complaint under Victimisation which only requires one unreasonable act

Ann22

My niece recently reported a manager for bullying(very noticeably picking on her and making nasty personal comments) but since she reported him then she's been reprimanded for every tiny petty things she might do wrong by another senior person who is pals with this man. She's been pulled up on stuff everyone in her area does and no one passes any remarks. It's too long to explain everything here but it's completely unfair as she went 5yrs without once being in trouble. It strongly looks like they're trying to coerce her to resign. She has been to a solicitor who said she has a case if fired. Ps also a huge supermarket chain. This reminded me about something someone said to me once. Some years ago a friend of my husband who was an manager in a factory said if we ever had a grievance with a supervisor to try and sort it out there without going over their heads because he knew many occasions where this happened and the supervisor would make work so unbearable for the person who complained that they'd end up leaving. He said it was quite simple. Put them in an area he knew they hated or chance their hours or refuse requested days off etc etc. My niece said there have been others in her workplace who were afraid to complain about similar treatment and left. Many people will say complain but I'm not sure it's right to do that. Speak to the person directly and ask why they asked you. They didnt accuse you of drinking, they just asked if you had been. Id be auspicious someone else suggested it might be you. See how they respond before going any further.

Stanford

Stanford wrote: »

Agreed, thats why I suggested the OP make a complaint under Victimisation which only requires one unreasonable act

I think you are making this a bigger deal than it ought to be, the op was asked, not accused, not in front of others. The op is not being disciplined, the matter is dead. Someone obviously brought the bottle in and likely pointed the finger at the op when it was found, if I was the op I would be less angry about the question asked, and more about why she was asked. I would ask the manager why he thought it was her.

Stanford

Why was the op the only person asked, is there not an implication in the question?

Also you say ""Someone obviously brought the bottle in and likely pointed the finger at the op when it was found"".....absolutely no evidence to support this statement.

""the matter is dead"".................clearly not for the op

MayaMaya

I can imagine that he will try to make my working life hell if I file the complaint, but I'm going to do it anyway.

I have let many things slide with him, but this is too much.
He gave absolutely no reason why he suspected me of drinking. My first answer wasn't good enough that he felt he had to ask me another two times was I sure.
It was really humiliating.

I'm not going to bring it up with him personally because he'll just be dismissive and play it down. I want it to be on record. A lot of other employees have an issue with him too so maybe he'll cop on.

odyssey06

If someone is drinking at work, this is absolutely not the way to be going about it by the manager... Workplace Relations Commission case waiting to happen.

Stanford

odyssey06 wrote: »

If someone is drinking at work, this is absolutely not the way to be going about it by the manager... Workplace Relations Commission case waiting to happen.

Are you one of those annoying people who join a thread at the end and don't bother to read previous posts.....recourse to the WRC has already been mentioned

skooterblue2

MayaMaya wrote: »

I can imagine that he will try to make my working life hell if I file the complaint, but I'm going to do it anyway.

I have let many things slide with him, but this is too much.
He gave absolutely no reason why he suspected me of drinking. My first answer wasn't good enough that he felt he had to ask me another two times was I sure.
It was really humiliating.

I'm not going to bring it up with him personally because he'll just be dismissive and play it down. I want it to be on record. A lot of other employees have an issue with him too so maybe he'll cop on.

The company will move to protect him because he is in the company as in part of the system. They will be more interested in getting rid of you. Be sure you wont get black listed by other similar companies if you decide to strike. These type of companies are always collecting media information. Thread carefully

Ann22

skooterblue2 wrote:

The company will move to protect him because he is in the company as in part of the system. They will be more interested in getting rid of you. Be sure you wont get black listed by other similar companies if you decide to strike. These type of companies are always collecting media information. Thread carefully

Op this is very possibly true. The man my niece complained about has also had loads of complaints but she actually accused him of bullying and the senior staff wagons have circled. This man is a dick but think carefully on it if you like your job. Don't let your upset be fueled by people on here who it really doesn't affect. Make a note of it and the date, time, witnesses etc of any past or future incidents in case you are determined to take it further at some stage.

skooterblue2

Ann22 wrote: »

Op this is very possibly true. The man my niece complained about has also had loads of complaints but she actually accused him of bullying and the senior staff wagons have circled. This man is a dick but think carefully on it if you like your job. Don't let your upset be fueled by people on here who it really doesn't affect. Make a note of it and the date, time, witnesses etc of any past or future incidents in case you are determined to take it further at some stage.

"I have to protect my buddy because I dont know the day I will be in the same position by some upstart of an employee".

I would say get refreshing the CVs.

facehugger99

Ducksinarow75 wrote: »

He asked me 3 times was I sure that I hadn't been drinking.

I think after the second time you would have been quite within your rights to suggest that you take things to HR.

Your manger sounds like a right dickhead.

MayaMaya

Ann22 wrote: »

Op this is very possibly true. The man my niece complained about has also had loads of complaints but she actually accused him of bullying and the senior staff wagons have circled. This man is a dick but think carefully on it if you like your job. Don't let your upset be fueled by people on here who it really doesn't affect. Make a note of it and the date, time, witnesses etc of any past or future incidents in case you are determined to take it further at some stage.

You're right, but I'm not going to mention the word "bullying". I just want to file a grievance for my manager's approach in relation to:
*Where they approached me, on the shop floor, where there was the possibility of customers hearing.
*Not giving any reason for suspecting me other than finding an empty bottle of alcohol. No mention of me acting unusually, seeming to be unfocused, unbalanced etc.

Your poor niece. It's a horrible situation to be in.

MayaMaya

MayaMaya wrote: »

You're right, but I'm not going to mention the word "bullying". I just want to file a grievance for my manager's approach in relation to:
*Where they approached me, on the shop floor, where there was the possibility of customers hearing.
*Not giving any reason for suspecting me other than finding an empty bottle of alcohol. No mention of me acting unusually, seeming to be unfocused, unbalanced etc.

Your poor niece. It's a horrible situation to be in.

Did anyone else hear it?

skooterblue2

odyssey06 wrote: »

If someone is drinking at work, this is absolutely not the way to be going about it by the manager... Workplace Relations Commission case waiting to happen.

The problem is that the machine moves to protect managment and sometimes to promote these dickwads. Its easier on so many fronts to dispose of this employee than admit this manager made a mistake. Just because you win at the WRC that doesnt mean they wont come for you in the long grass

MayaMaya

facehugger99 wrote: »

I think after the second time you would have been quite within your rights to suggest that you take things to HR.

Your manger sounds like a right dickhead.

To be honest, I regret my lack of action at the time. I was so taken aback and embarrassed that I just kept saying that it wasn't me.
It was only when I asked my colleagues had they been asked and then discussing it with a friend of mine, that I thought I should do something about it.

MayaMaya

Dav010 wrote: »

Did anyone else hear it?

No, I don't think so.

Speak Now

MayaMaya wrote: »

He's a tool, in my opinion. Very erratic with his moods.

Have you history with him? I know you have 8 years perfect record and thread is about this one incident but reading between the lines of the above post its seems other stuff may have happened between you both?

MayaMaya

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

lawred2 wrote: »

Any chance you've a name for being a bit too fond of the gargle outside of work?

Do you come in stinking of night before some times?

A few pints at the weekend. Nothing crazy. Definitely don't come to work smelling of alcohol.

But even if I was a daily drinker and my manager suspected me of drinking, then surely the professional approach would be to ask to speak to me in private in an office and outlining the reasons why I was being asked was it me.

lawred2

I deleted a stupid post.. must read thread to the end next time..

As for OP, unless this job means a lot to you and pays big money I'd be registering a complaint and then handing in my notice.

One to put the manager's behavior on record and secondly because doing so will likely make your time at work unbearable. But at least you keep your dignity if you complain and leave in the same instance.