Man, This is a tough one, I generally do not care what people do in their own time, but today I went up to our game room (Where we keep all the consoles etc) and one of our new artists was there playing an X-box game and he REEKED of the ole Mary Jane. I sent out an email saying that being high or drunk is not allowed on company premises, but I am thinking of firing the guy. In fact, it sounds like a poll. His fate may rest in your hands ! DD
Need more information. Was it affecting his work in any way? Might it have been in a place where it would have encouraged others to take up the habit? Is this someone who needed firing anyway? If it's not affecting anything, maybe a warning is in order and you won't have to fire unless you catch him again. Need more information, though.
It doesn't sound like you caught him in the act. What is the policy? If it's your business, don't take our word for it. We'll just say let him go, because you found a way to score some smoke. At my company it goes like this. Do you suspect drug use? Yes Send to drug screening and blood/pee test. Did he pass. Yes -> Apologize No -> Fire him By the way, can I buy some weed from him?
Does he know that you know? If he knows that he got caught but faces no action, it might set a bad precedent. In MOST companies, he would have been escorted off the premesis immediately...but I guess you could cut him some slack. I would at least give him a warning in private and ensure him that if caught again, he will be terminated. Like you said...what he does in his own private life is his business, when it is on your company's dime, its yours.
I hear poor spelling is a sign of mar1juana usage. C'mon! You said he was an ARTIST, right? Most of the great artists throughout history were doing some kind of mind altering substance. If he were a programmer or a some type of clerical worker, then you could probably can him. I say let him slide this time...
Oh, no... he was getting high... but it has NEVER EVER EVER affecting his work in any way... this is like saying that getting caught with your pants down in front of his computer won't hurt a relationship... if your good friend tells you about it... What does being from Poland have to anything to do with this?
If you caught him smoking, then yes. If he smells of it he may need to be tested, but then that depends on company policy.
By the way: Can I come work for you? I have 20+ years of almost constant game playing experience. I have a big TV and huge PC monitor at home, so I can "work from home." Heck...I'll even work a lot of overtime to "research" competitor's games.
In Austin? Are you kidding me? I used to buy dope from an Austin Police Officer in the early 80s. Pot ain't nothin' but a weed. Now if you caught him smoking crack...that's another story!!!
He reeks of it, and of course it is going to affect his work. The biggest issue is if he is high or drunk at work, we are libel for anything that might happen. Not to mention the stupidity of getting high at the office or at lunch and coming back high. I still don't know what I am going to do, our policy is very lenient and I dont' want to be a hard ass and come down with a drug testing policy. I treat people like adults and expect the same courtesy, maybe I have to fire him to set an example, he is a good artist, but there are a lot of good ones out of work that get high on their own time. DD PS. I would love to hear what AndyMoon has to say about it.
You caught him. You sent out an email stated it would not be tolerated. Next step? Have him come to your office. Reiterate that it won't be tolerated. Let him know sternly that if that ever happens again he will be terminated immediately. That should scare him straight and eliminates having to hire another guy. If he's a poor worker, however, you found the reason to get rid of him.
Another for "what is the policy". If there is no policy, set one, and test him randomly at a later date. If there is a policy, follow it.
I'd let it slide, you sent out the email so now he has full warning. If you suspect it again and/or it's affecting his work, then I'd say you have good reason to let him go. But you say he is an artist, and it will of course affect his work.....the thing is, it will probably make his work better!
...also, did he actually toke up at work? He could have smoked that morning. Technically, that wouldn't be on "your time". If he didn't smoke at the office and you don't have any official drug policy (it looks to me like you don't), that's lawsuit city if you fire him...
