Don't Drink and Drive

This well know slogan is used to try to reduce the number of road accidents caused by drunken drivers. Recently we saw a mixed response to its message.

At the request of a client, we carried out an investigation into the activities of one of their representatives.

Doubts at Work

There were serious doubts about they way he was spending his working hours, but there were also indications that he was drinking to excess.

The doubts about the use of his working time were well founded. He left home late and arrived back early. He also stayed at home every Friday afternoon to prepare for a weekend of camping.

Still worse was that one lunch time he bought a bottle of sherry and drunk it. Thereafter, he drove home at great speed.

The Interview

Soon after, he was interviewed at the client's premises.

He said that he thought there was nothing wrong with his time-keeping. He argued that he worked hard enough and made enough hours up.

He was also of the opinion that if he must ask permission to finish work earlier one day, then he should also ask permission to work late.

Drinking at Work

When the painful subject of drink was raised, he admitted that he had drunk a bottle of sherry – on more than one occasion. Sometimes, he said, he may not drink for weeks, but then he may drink sherry twice in a week.

He did not think that he had a drinking problem, but sometimes he said he could not resist the desire.

Nevertheless, our investigators directed the man to an organisation which helps people with drinking problems.

The man understood that he could not continue to work for the client. He just wanted to impress on the directors that he had not visited clients when he was drunk. After drinking the sherry, he said he had always gone straight home.

Conclusion

To our surprise, we heard that after the client's lawyer had explained his position to him, he said that he would have a party that evening because he thought he needed a drink.

However, he arranged for someone to drive him home because he did not want to be caught driving under the influence.

Seems like double standards to us.

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