A Young Woman Gets Arrested for “Driving Under the Influence”, Talks to Her Manager at Work, and Gets Motivated to Turn Her Life Around and Reclaim Her Self Esteem
Shelly was recognized at work as an incredibly conservative human being who had a very good attendance record. She never attended any of the happy hours after work and it was known through the company that she was an incredibly spiritual individual who typically talked about the pitfalls regarding alcohol abuse and dependency on alcohol in our country.
Try to imagine the surprise within the company when one Monday morning Shelly did not show up for work and not a soul had heard from her. In reality, it wasn’t until close to 8:30 in the morning that the human resources department received a phone call about Shelly from the local city jail.
Shelly Goes Out Partying Together With a Number of Her College Friends
Apparently, Shelly went out drinking together with several of her college pals Saturday night and at some time about 5:45 Sunday morning, Shelly was arrested for “driving while intoxicated”. Since her blood alcohol content level (BAC) was extremely high, she had to spend one day in the county jail.
Shelly Talks to Her Manager and The Human Resources Director
When Shelly came to work on Tuesday morning, she right away informed her boss what had taken place and she asked if she might possibly go and talk with the Human Resources director about her DUI arrest.
When she got to the HR department and met with the manager, she explained that she had not been intoxicated since her college days and that she was very humiliated about her “drunk driving” arrest. She also emphasized the point that she needed some assistance selecting an experienced and productive “driving under the influence” attorney who would represent her DUI case. Stated another way, Shelly really wanted the Human Resources director to agree that she needed to see a DUI attorney.
The Human Resources director told Shelly that she should schedule an appointment with someone inside the company employee’s assistance program to discuss any potential drinking issue that she might have. The HR manager also mentioned that she needs to go over her desire to employ a DWI lawyer to represent her concerning her “driving under the influence” case.
In addition, the Human Resources director told Shelly that it was a good thing that she hoped to hire a DUI lawyer because of the difficulties and problematic issues that happen to be affiliated with a “driving while intoxicated” conviction.
The Human Resources director could tell that Shelly was plainly depressed and humiliated by this entire problem. Consequently, he told Shelly that while he doesn’t feel that responsible individuals ought to ever get behind the wheel right after drinking, sadly these predicaments sometimes come to pass to really good folks.
The Human Resources manager then mentioned that because such a state of affairs can’t be undone, what is essential is what the individual does from this moment in time forward. As acknowledged by the Human Resources manager, “does the individual learn from his or her errors or does she or he develop a pattern of alcohol related difficulties that cause the man or women chronic suffering and pain”?
Fortunately, Shelly Did Not Have a History of Irresponsible Drinking
Just before finishing their discussion, the Human Resources manager informed Shelly that it was very positive that she doesn’t have a track record of excessive and unhealthy drinking drinking. Not only this but she hasn’t had an alcohol-related problem since her university days (which was around 13 years ago). Consequently, Shelly ought to be in a position to confront her DWI arrest with sorrow but also with a degree of self-confidence knowing that she will confront and work through this problem and turn out to be a better individual in the near future.
Shelly thanked the Human Resources manager for his caring and encouraging words and then walked over towards the company employee’s assistance program go over her DUI arrest, her involvement in irresponsible and abusive drinking over the weekend, and her wish to retain a “drunk driving” attorney to represent her “driving under the influence” case.
After hearing Shelly’s “story,” the psychologist that was part of the company employee’s assistance program went over Shelly’s immediate “action plan” that she needed to address and follow. First, she would be required to take a DUI class to learn more DUI facts and information. Second, she would also be required to take an alcohol abuse class to address her possible drinking problem. And finally, it would be an especially intelligent thing to do if she were to meet with a DUI lawyer about her “driving while intoxicated” arrest.
Shelly Feels a Sense of Relief Knowing That She Will Learn From Her Slip-Up and Become More Responsible
It was apparent that Shelly was highly disappointed with the complete “driving under the influence” scenario, but right after talking to the Human Resources manager and to the counselor in the company employee’s assistance program, she felt comfort knowing that she would in fact learn from her mistake and become even more healthy, more accountable, and an even more grateful woman.
A Boss Helps a Worker Address His Hazardous and Abusive Drinking After a Shattered Relationship
Russ dropped out of high school when he was seventeen years old and eventually got a job at a local landfill. For the past three-and-a-half years he has gained a reputation as a hard-working and diligent individual who only once in a blue moon calls off work due to illness.
Around six months ago he started going out with a woman named Emma. They appeared to get along real well immediately and looked like they had a lot of good times together.
The Hazardous and Irresponsible Drinking Begins
When Russ met Emma, he rarely drank. This circumstance totally changed when Russ and Emma began dating on a fairly constant basis. As a matter of fact, their relationship was going great until Emma called Russ one night nearly 3 AM and said that she had to call off their relationship and that she couldn’t explain the reason at that particular time.
The next morning before he went to work, Russ drove to Emma’s apartment and immediately discovered that Emma had already moved out. Russ took this really hard. If truth be told, he was taken aback because they appeared to be getting along so well.
When Hazardous and Abusive Drinking Leads to Problems at Work
So what did Russ do? Instead of working through his sorrow and pain, he began getting inebriated just about every night. It didn’t take long for his buddies at work or for his manager to notice that Russ was coming to work late at least three times per week and that he time after time called off ill. Furthermore, some of the workers made an appointment with staff in the HR Department and stated that Russ constantly came to work with a strong smell of alcohol on his clothes or on his breath.
Russ’s supervisor heard about all of this from Human Resources and also from Russ’s co-workers. So one Thursday morning he invited Russ into his office. He told Russ that he had recently noticed a profound change in his behavior, sick time, work performance, and in his attendance.
When a Manager Can Motivate a Worker to Get Help For His or Her Excessive Drinking
Russ’s manager also mentioned that a number of his co-workers reported him to Human Resources because he had been coming to work with the strong smell of alcohol. His manager then stated the following: “Russ, your co-workers are not reporting you to HR to get you into trouble or because they dislike you but instead because they are concerned about you. And I care too. I don’t want to pry into your life outside of work, but it is apparent that you are displaying some of the basic signs and symptoms of excessive drinking. Consequently, I want you to go and see a healthcare professional in the employee’s assistance program to discuss your drinking.”
“Russ, I’m no healthcare professional or a counselor, but I have seen more than a few of my relatives and friends experience some extremely negative alcohol side effects. What is more, I have also seen the signs of alcoholism first-hand in my own family. When individuals suffer from problems with drinking, these problems not only affect the drinker, but they also make an impact on his or her friends, family, relatives, neighbors, and co-workers.”
Russ admired his supervisor a lot and consequently followed through with his suggestion the next morning when he called and scheduled an appointment with a healthcare practitioner in the employee’s assistance program.
Russ is Still Depressed But Experiences Some Hope That He Will Get His Life Back on Track
Although Russ didn’t automatically feel any better or less depressed about the hurt he still has about Emma, he felt comfort knowing that his boss and his co-workers cared about him and wanted what’s best for him. This gave him some psychological relief for the first time in more than a few weeks and he honestly felt some hope that he would get back on track with his life.
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