I just got pulled into the Executive Director's office with my supervisor

[JackBeck]

And was asked if I had been drinking before work!

I am so mad right now I am shaking.

[matcom]

1. what was your answer?

:shrug:

[JackBeck]

2. That I hadn't been drinking.

I had a few last night while watching the Mets lose, but then went to bed. Got up. Showered. Brushed my teeth. Gargled with mouthwash. Got on the train. And came to work.

My ED and I rode the elevator this morning and he says he smelled alcohol on my breath. Can mouthwash be the culprit?

[matcom]

3. not likely

how many is 'a few' and was it beer or booze?

[JackBeck]

4. I had two JW Red's and water, in a rocks glass, before bed.

It's not like I didn't shower and brush my teeth. My cubbymate, who works closely with me every day, said she's never smelled anything but niceness from me.

[leftofthedial]

7. the boss probably smelled it on him or herself

[ceile]

9. Just two?

That's very odd.

[leftofthedial]

5. If one gets drunk at night

sometimes one isn't really sober until well into the next day.

[Patiod]

6. You're not going to be drunk the next day on two drinks

[JackBeck]

10. I thought I was going to be questioned about a co-worker

who has my old position and is doing a piss-poor job. I was totally blindsided. I'm still shaking with embarrassment and anger.

I applied for another job yesterday and got an immediate response for an interview. Maybe this is the second sign that it's time to change jobs. I really like my ED, too. He's been here for about 6 months and has garnered a lot of new interest in our non-profit.

[Bunny]

12. No, you're not going to be drunk the next day, but you could be

exuding that alcohol reek. I've been around people like that, and it didn't matter if they've showered or brushed their teeth, I could still smell the booze coming from them until well into the morning.

Two drinks seems like a pretty small amount for it to still be noticeable the next day, though. That is pretty weird...

[philosophie_en_rose]

26. Did you use Listerine? It has a strong smell of alcohol.

:shrug:

[Orrex]

8. The right answer is "No, but I am now, if you're buying."

But that's pretty damned infuriating. Without good evidence, that borders on slander. Are you sufficiently comfortable with your HR department to mention your concerns to them?

[JackBeck]

11. Thanks for making me laugh.

We're a small, non-profit with about 20 workers. We have an HR guy, so I might talk to him.

My ED and I went to Toronto for a conference and one night went out to dinner and to some of the bars after. We had a great time together and he matched me drink-for-drink.

[mondo joe]

13. Just saying - if for whatever reason (mouthwash or whatever) it's

not a totally unreasonable question.

I mean it's better, if they had an indication, to ask you than to assume it to be true.

[JackBeck]

14. I agree. But it was still embarrassing and upsetting.

I go out into the community and do workshops on health issues for underserved populations. My point being, you would think one would assume that I wouldn't drink before work, since I wouldn't be able to stand-up in front of groups of people and deliver information.

[mondo joe]

16. I totally get that - it would be upsetting.

[wildhorses]

15. keep interviewing--somebody has it in for you--

call me paranoid but--something is not right with your scenario:shrug:

[sir_captain]

17. What did they say?

[JackBeck]

18. My ED said he smelled alcohol on my breath.

Thought it was better to address this as a HR issue, or something like that. I couldn't believe it was happening while I was in his office. My supervisor was there, as well, and he didn't say a thing. Wants to meet with me at 3pm, I'm assuming to discuss what happened this morning.

[sir_captain]

27. They didn't say anything after you denied it?

That seems really shady of them

[JackBeck]

29. To be honest

I don't think he believed me. But I meet with my supervisor any minute now, so we'll see.

[sir_captain]

31. Well, good luck

[reyd reid reed]

19. You're Kidding...

why would they even ask you that? I mean, holy SHIT!!!

Did they at least apologize?

[JackBeck]

21. No apology yet.

It was pretty embarrassing. He said that he wanted to make sure I hadn't been drinking within reasonable work hours. I'm supposed to meet with my supervisor in 10 minutes, I'm assuming to discuss this issue.

[datasuspect]

20. are you in the transportation, shipping, or interstate common carrier

business?

if not, something like that is HIGHLY irregular.

they are building a paper trail.

did they offer to send you to a testing facility? did you sign any "employment action form" or something similar?

[JackBeck]

22. None of the above.

I work for an HIV/AIDS non-profit where I go out and do Health Literacy workshops for underserved communities in NYC.

[AngryAmish]

23. A few before work really helps to take the edge off.

Nothing like the good ole' eye-opener.

[datasuspect]

24. and a few bumps in the toilet

stall.

[JackBeck]

28. Funny you should say that...

Just about everyone here knows that a co-worker has a coke and meth problem. You'd think he'd be on the top of the ED's list.

[AngryAmish]

30. it just makes the morning smoother.

[JackBeck]

25. Yeah, I gotta have that shot before walking through the door

or I can't face the day.

[Lars39]

32. Might not be a good idea to be discussing this on your computer

at work.

[JackBeck]

34. Why?

[JackBeck]

33. Just met with my supervisor.

Un-freakin'-believable.

No apology. He told me that the ED wanted him to get close enough to me to smell and see if he could smell alcohol, as well. He then preceded to tell me that he can only imagine how uncomfortable I must have been since he was uncomfortable as well (right, it's all about him). He then told me that our HR offers substance abuse counseling if I needed it. My supervisor finished with this piece of advice: if I'm out partying late, just call out of work. Don't come in. And I can tell him why and he won't snitch.

Is today April Fool's Day?

[ceile]

35. That's f'ed up!

Just assuming that you were drinking....not cool. Why didn't they believe you? Are they trying to get rid of you or something?

[JackBeck]

36. Not at all.

My supervisor said something about them being concerned about our image since we're trying to get new support for our non-profit. He pretty much was saying that they thought I had been up all night drinking. I fell asleep after the Mets game. I started to tell him what I was doing last night when I realized that it was none of his business what happened last night. This is all really confusing for me right now. I actually sent my resume out yesterday and have an interview next week. Maybe this is a sign.

[ceile]

37. Maybe it is.

Sort of sounds like they don't trust you as well.

[wildhorses]

38. it is a sign alright-- a BIG RED FLAG--they are getting their ducks

in a row--The first job offer you get that is comparable--I would take it and NEVER look back. I have seen this sorta thing happen before.

I am telling you--Watch your back!!

[izzybeans]

39. This happened to my father-in-law, but he works for a utility company

and has a CDL. He is a big college basketball fan and his team had surprisingly made it to the championship game. He had no more than three or four beers, but had the last one at about 11:30 or midnight.

Given his job, he had to take a breathilizer and he blew a .01 or something similar to what you would blow with medicine or mouthwash. His boss smelled him because he wore the same shirt he wore to the bar the night before. That was it.

I would ask them to kindly mind their own business. Two drinks in an evening and you are dealing with this?