Alcoholism and the Workplace

Dealing with an employee who is drunk on duty once or twice is a problem (see our previous post in this regard). Dealing with an employee who battles with alcoholism is frustrating and can destroy the employment relationship. 

Alcoholism, per se, does not constitute misconduct. It is being under the influence of alcohol and the consequences thereof that amount to misconduct. Nonetheless, alcoholism is an illness and should be treated as such. 

One must still hold a Disciplinary Enquiry for being drunk on duty. To determine the nature of the sanction to be imposed, one needs to look at the severity of the consequences of the employee being inebriated at work. For example, a “sweeper” is only likely to injure themself and possibly the broom, whilst a machinist could harm himself badly, and a driver could injure himself, the public and damage an expensive motor vehicle and maybe the load he is carrying. 

Once an employee has received a final written warning for other types of misconduct, in ordinary circumstances, any subsequent misconduct would lead to termination. In the case of alcoholism, however, our advice is that the employee should be allowed to undergo treatment for alcoholism as an alternative to dismissal. The treatment is difficult (a six-month course), and the medicines are costly for the employee and have severe negative effects should the employee drink alcohol while taking the medication. 

The employee must be suspended without pay pending proof of having joined the program at SANCA (The South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence), which has clinics all over South Africa. We strongly suggest that the medication be taken in front of management daily. 

The advantage of this approach is two-fold – If the employee makes it through the course successfully, you will likely have a reformed employee. If the employee should ever drink again (or be found under the influence of alcohol on duty), the CCMA will likely condone dismissal, given that the employer attempted to assist the employee in treating the illness.