A work colleague might have a problem

Over the last year a work colleague has been acting strange in his behaviour, as in sneaking about or always asking where I will be at different times of the day and I have now found evidence that he is drinking while in work ( we work outside on landscaping) he hides half full cans of beer to consume in places he thinks nobody will find them and you always have the feeling after a while he wants to get rid of you. He is known to like a drink but I have smelled it on him and people treat it as a sort of joke i.e talking about indifferently like it's fine by passing it off as thats what people do i.e drinking to excess or saying things like piss head about him, but he obviously has a bigger problems than people think. I already know its not normal to be drinking at all times of the day while in work but is it normal to continue to pretend that there is nothing wrong, I'm not sure what to do.

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31% Normal
Based on 16 votes (5 yes)
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Comments ( 4 )
  • Cookiecutter

    He doesnt see his drinking as a problem so hes not doing anything about it. If he has a SO talk to them or talk to him directly tell him that he needs help. As a last resort talk to his boss.

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  • unionclocks

    Talk to them - let them know you are concerned.

    If you have reason to believe they have bigger problems, google local drink recovery services and see if you can raise his situation to them so they have him on their radar and so you know where to point him if situations ever turn sour for him because of his drinking issue. I could give you more advice on that front if you live in the UK but if you don't google will have to do xD

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  • Jacob_Zuma_783

    Maybe have a private conversation with him, letting him know of your concerns. If he carries on because he's so addicted to drinking, then I'd reckon either leave him be or inform the boss (letting him know before you do so).

    To answer your question- yes it is normal to pretend nothing's wrong. Most of us don't want to meddle in other people's problems.

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  • ZaneT

    That's a tough one because you don't want to dob him in but you want him to be safe in the workplace. Talk to him privately first about your concerns if you are comfortable. He may or may not be receptive depending on how you go about bringing the subject up. Good luck.

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