Reported to HR for drinking Alcohol at my desk.

Bantex_2

Are you in a role where safety could be compromised?

fridge_raider

Paypeanuts wrote: »

What a lot of rubbish has been posted in this thread.

A conscientious employee has seen another employee look like they are drinking on the premises from a bottle that they are concealing under their desk. That person then has gone to management, or to HR, to explain what they have seen. An investigation has been held.

The truth has come out, but the investigators can see exactly why the first employee believed that it was booze. Second employee has been advised that if she is drinking from a bottle that looks like wine, not to behave in a manner that could attract suspicion.

There's nothing to see here folks, move on. OP don't get your knickers in a knot, mistakes happen, process has been followed and you have been shown to be innocent.

People go to HR because they are hardly going to confront a suspected drinker themselves, that's why there are processes.

And those who believe that nobody would ever drink at work have lived sheltered lives!

To me personally though, unless the OP works in a hospital or similar, I think people should mind their own business.

jobbingmusician

I do think this is a storm in a teacup, and it sounds as if HR have been incredibly insensitive. However, I think you should now clarify what you are actually supposed to be doing.

(Is the elderflower water actually a perishable, though? If it is, then isn't three days rather a long time to keep it under the desk? And if it ISN'T perishable, what is the problem with keeping it on the desk?)

getmore4less

OP also getting food nicked, maybe someone is out to get her, might need to watch their back.

dickydonkin

Paypeanuts wrote: »

People go to HR because they are hardly going to confront a suspected drinker themselves, that's why there are processes.

And quite clearly, the 'process' failed miserably in this instance.

Thankfully the OP wasn't taking an aspirin for a headache - some 'concientious' colleague may have reported to HR that a member of staff was seen to be taking class A drugs!

I agree that an investigation should have taken place, but to accuse the OP of drinking alcohol in the workplace without establishing the facts first suggests that the HR person who was involved is either incompetent, plain stupid or probably a combination of both.

jobbingmusician wrote: »

Is the elderflower water actually a perishable, though? If it is, then isn't three days rather a long time to keep it under the desk? And if it ISN'T perishable, what is the problem with keeping it on the desk?)

If (as I suspect) the offending beverage is the 'Bottle Green' brand of Elderflower drink, then it has as much shelf life as your standard fizzy drinks so not immediately perishable.

As for keeping bottles on your workstation - large ones in this instance, aside from looking untidy and unprofessional, spilling a bottle of water over your computer is not desirable.

yvonne13_2

dickydonkin wrote: »

And quite clearly, the 'process' failed miserably in this instance.

Thankfully the OP wasn't taking an aspirin for a headache - some 'concientious' colleague may have reported to HR that a member of staff was seen to be taking class A drugs!

I agree that an investigation should have taken place, but to accuse the OP of drinking alcohol in the workplace without establishing the facts first suggests that the HR person who was involved is either incompetent, plain stupid or probably a combination of both.



If (as I suspect) the offending beverage is the 'Bottle Green' brand of Elderflower drink, then it has as much shelf life as your standard fizzy drinks so not immediately perishable.

As for keeping bottles on your workstation - large ones in this instance, aside from looking untidy and unprofessional, spilling a bottle of water over your computer is not desirable.

It's the Belvoir brand hence the bottle shape. But saying that I shouldn't be blamed for what people think.

googler

So, someone reported you to HR, and they then dragged you AND YOUR LINE MANAGER in for a chat, apparently without asking the line manager to do any investigation beforehand? And then they had the cheek to send the line manager off to 'collect' the bottle, like some pathetic dogsbody?

If I were the line manager, I'd be fuming.

Black marks to HR.
Black mark to whomever reported it for bypassing the line manager.

silverwhistle

yvonne13 wrote: »

I was in shock as I don't even drink alcohol and to tell me that I was was totally unacceptable. I wasn't even asked I was told .... Next minute HR starts to back peddle saying that I should've known that the bottle could've been mistaken as wine so in future I must keep the bottle in clear view so everyone can see exactly what I'm drinking.

If HR need to do an investigation - which is fair enough - they shouldn't rely on the word of one person but should try and corroborate the information - perhaps even by looking at the bottle when you weren't there -and certainly ask for your input before making such a direct accusation. It doesn't fill me with much confidence in your HR department!.

duchy

I'd make sure everyone knows about it.
I'd explain you can't think who it is as everyone in your department can presumably read labels so perhaps someone needs an eye test

Seriously HR were out of line.
The correct procedure would be for them to get your line manager to investigate first. I'd be raising a grievance .

lincroft1710

CC-Warrior wrote: »

What a load of idiots, to suggest anyone is stupid enough to be drinking alcohol at their desk is an insult at the very least. I would be filing a complaint and seeking an apology from HR.

You would be surprised how many people in the past have drunk alcohol at their desk or in their office! And no one complained!