Or maybe they're just better prepared by "airing out" or covering up the odor after hitting the reefer. Been there, done that. Seriously, he should at least be given a chance to explain himself and tell you it will not happen again.
Make sure that your warnings are documented in a letter, sign it, have him sign it, and then file it away in admin. Include the wording that he will be terminated after receipt of two warning letters or whatever. You need to be clear. You also need to document discussions in email with time stamps and file itaway. You have to cover your ass when firing someone or it will bite you in the ass. You should keep in mind, no matter what the law is in Texas, or has been, it can change with your case. Laws are a living breathing thing. Many employees will quit if you stay on their ass about something. And that is the best thing that can happen. But don't count on it.
As an artist there have been times when I've been passed a joint over the art board (in the old days) or over the computer by my boss. That said if it is affecting his work in a negative way, take action to make sure it doesn't.
Fire him for being an idiot. Anyone who has ever partaken in a little herb knows it is really easy to do it while not reeking of it. If you use a pipe in a well ventilated area and then follow-up with brushing your teeth and/or a strong mint, then there is no smell on you or your breath. If he's smoking a joint, then that's a really bad idea. He obviously didn't take any precautions and, therefore, is an idiot. So, that would be a good reason to fire him along with getting high during work hours...which is just stupid in itself. If he's going to do it, then he needs to be careful. He did it and didn't bother to cover it up. So, the guy is a freaking idiot in my book. I wouldn't keep him around but that's me. Noone with half a brain comes to work reeking of weed regardless of if they stupidly got high for work or not. It sounds like the guy went out at lunch or on break to his car and lit up with the windows rolled up or something. In that case, he's a total r****d idiot. In my best Donald Trump voice, YOUR FIRED!
Fire him because: 1) He has disrespected the job by giving it so little respect. If you respect a job, you don't show up high. 2) He has disrespected your authority. By not punishing him, you are opening up the door for very large obedience issues for him and other employees. 3) He has shown poor self control and lacks the discipline needed to be a good long-term employee of the firm. 4) His moral code is severely lacking. This type of behavior leads me to believe that he is a prime candidate for slacking off on the job, doing less than quality work, theft, and the possibility of reputational damage in the community.
I totally agree...also, if a stoner can't go 8 hours without smoking some weed, thats pretty f***ing lame and shows some weakass professional/work ethic. I'd fire him as well, even if I were an occasional stoner myself (not saying you are). As other people said, if you don't have a policy make one NOW and have everyone sign a copy of it. Also, PLEASE let us know what happens!
Artists are different. If they didn't think "outside the box" (I hate that lame phrase) they would be like everyone else. Keep, him but let him know you suspect he was high and not to to it again at work. No big deal. He might of thought that since you were so cool and hip (like we all know that you are...) that it didn't matter. Take it as a compliment. We need more pot-smoking art jobs in this world, not less!
Baaah! Its been 20 years since I attended art school so I've had a looong time and experience with this. The BEST work is done completely sober. I always work sober thus the more sober I am the more work I crank out. (Been cranking out ALOT lately!) Sure you get some crazy ideas while high, but the motor skillz go, the multi-level thinking gets foggy, you can't work as tightly as you should be able to. Your all around vision is blurred. Oh, I might add it sure feels good though.
I work for a Construction contractor- we have a no tolerance drug policy and do random screening. These things still can be a judgement call-even when you have an iron ass policy like we do in construction. For safety of others we cannot have peopole high and running heavy equipment or even laborers hurting themselves with a shovel because they are high. I am a big believer in "Live and let live " on a personal level- if they get high on their own time and can pass the random drug screen some way - I do not care- if I do not know -I cannot be held liable. If I catch someone smoking weed or drinking on the job- I have no choice but to let them go. If an employee is clearly hung over - we drive him home with 3 days off. He gets one - second chance to come back to work. We can be sued if we know they are high and they get hurt or someone else gets hurt.
If you get some sticky - icky it smells like skunk. Personally, I know where and when to be high. If I'm ever high in public I at least spray some cologne to cover the smell and a little visine too. This dude you caught high is an idiot to not do either.
Pul Lease The only reason OTHERS have to be in the box is becuase they are NOT ALLOWED TOO venture OUTSIDE IT Rocket RIver Rules apply to everyone . .or no one
If that's what you want your rules to be, sure. The rules need to be clear and hopefully it should be proven. But it would be nice if certain workplaces were a little more liberal these days. I'm not saying his must be, but it would be nice.
Well I was asking because you said you would tell him not to do it again at work. What if he disobeyed your request? Following your advice I think I'd have to fire him the second time. It would be nice to have more X-Boxes in workplace game rooms.
