Mowing and Smoking the Grass

[DisgruntledEmployer]

Couldn't believe it... OK maybe I can. This week at a local filling station that my crew and I frequent, I noticed a competitors crew getting high. Do you think they know what the term "liability" means? I can't be sure if one of them was the owner or not. But one of my employees new one of the workers, said he worked with him at another lawn company where my employee admitted getting high with him on the job. I'm glad my employee feels comfortable enough to confide this in me, but how am I suppose to take this news. As for the moment I don't have any polices on drug use, but I'm with the guys all day and they know where I stand on drugs and alcohol in the work place. Now the problem lies with being able to trust this employee if and when I stop going out everyday with the crew. I had hired this individual to eventually become a supervisor.

What do you think I should do?

[Spoiled]

Put in policy that all supervisors are required to take a drug test

[Sammy]

Burn one with him after work and explain that you won't put up with anyone doing that while on the clock.

[steve-o]

Switch His Azz To Drinking Corn Liquor................

Burn one with him after work and explain that you won't put up with anyone doing that while on the clock.

we don't need no pot heads mowing lawns. this is a job for an adult, not some 7 or 8 year old.

steve-o

[lawrence stone]

One would have to be on drugs to work outside in 90 degree temps and 90% humidity.

[Spoiled]

One would have to be on drugs to work outside in 90 degree temps and 90% humidity.

Or like me take drugs since I am crazy

[Stephen M.]

We had our Employee Handbook redone by a lawyer a couple of years ago and his advice on a drug policy was to fire based upon behavior. Under our section of what kinds of behavior is regulated and not tolerated is the use of or being under the influence of drugs and alchohol. The reasons he gave for not having a formal drug policy other than that is because state or federal laws that may kick in forcing the company to pay for expensive treatment rehab programs; also then the disability act kicks in.

Behavior based means you fire them on an "unrelated" reason.

As in your specific case, post your written policy in your shop, give him a warning that whatever he did on the other job will not be tolerated in any shape or form and its a good way to lose a job.Let it go at that.

[DisgruntledEmployer]

We had our Employee Handbook redone by a lawyer a couple of years ago and his advice on a drug policy was to fire based upon behavior. Under our section of what kinds of behavior is regulated and not tolerated is the use of or being under the influence of drugs and alchohol. The reasons he gave for not having a formal drug policy other than that is because state or federal laws that may kick in forcing the company to pay for expensive treatment rehab programs; also then the disability act kicks in.

Behavior based means you fire them on an "unrelated" reason.

As in your specific case, post your written policy in your shop, give him a warning that whatever he did on the other job will not be tolerated in any shape or form and its a good way to lose a job.Let it go at that.

Thanks, that's good advice. That Disabilities Act is insane, Your lawyer was right, someone could possibly claim discrimination under the law. I would think that an employee might could claim a mental handicap that forces them to use uncontrolled substances. I heard that when the A.D.A was passed only about 4% of the population was considered disabled, but now it is more like 40% of Americans can fall under the act.

Truly my heart goes out to the people with legitimate disability's, but it boils my blood when I here of some of the crap judgments that get through under this law. People we used to label as lazy, having an anger issue or substance problem is now considered "handicap". I have a book that lists some of these judgments... If you really want to feel hopeless as a business owner, read up on them yourself. Its enough to make you feel like giving up and going to work at Walmart... OK maybe not that extreme.

Tell me... is America progressive or regressive?

[roost-1]

I have spent a slew of hours trying to train a few new guys and they all quit. 10. an hour i finally got one that might make it.