# forced to use breathalizer at work **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 16, 2011, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808 "2011-01-16T08:50:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/21 "2011-01-16T20:22:06Z")
Ah, Fort Mac. Nuff said. Yeah, talk to your union rep. Maybe he can sort out the unintelligible hash you made of your OP. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/22 "2011-01-16T20:37:03Z")
My husband, a construction safety officer in the province of Alberta, says his company has a zero tolerance policy for drinking at work - you blow anything but zero, you get escorted off the site and told to not come back, period. Easy solution to not having someone “out to get you” by getting you fired for being drunk at work - don’t be drunk at work. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/23 "2011-01-16T20:55:25Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Ah right, gotcha. That’s the same as the UK, then. So that’s about 1 1/2 or 2 pints of regular beer (20 ounce ones) left in the bloodstream 12 hours after stopping drinking. (rough calculation based on UK drink driving recommendations). What size is beer typically served in Canada, because I doubt nine UK pints would leave you in that state? We’ll have to wait for the OP to tell us how big the beers were. Some bars in Alberta serve a 20 oz pint, some serve a 16 oz pint; and for those who don’t want draft beer, 12 oz bottles are also available. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/24 "2011-01-17T00:49:28Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > We’ll have to wait for the OP to tell us how big the beers were. I suggest that the OP doesn’t even remember finding this message board, registering, and posting. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/25 "2011-01-17T02:14:16Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I suggest that the OP doesn’t even remember finding this message board, registering, and posting. Remember "If \_\_\_\_\_\_ had written The Lord of the Rings? We could do that again with this OP. There’s really a lot of STORY in that ramble. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/26 "2011-01-17T04:12:16Z")
Maybe the OP wasn’t drunk? He was just tired from drinking all night? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/27 "2011-01-17T04:29:48Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Maybe the OP wasn’t drunk? He was just tired from drinking all night? Could be, but that wouldn’t explain the high level after six hours of sleep. There are a lot of facts we don’t know here. I’m hesitant to say anything–although I am a lawyer in the OP’s jurisdiction, and I do practice in the fields of law that this matter might involve, there is not enough here for me to provide any guidance. If the OP would care to return and fill in a few answers to the questions posed or implied upthread, I could try to provide information that may clarify the issues, which he could then explore further with his union rep or union lawyer. For now, the only advice I’d give to the OP is to work with the shop steward or union rep, and others they may suggest, and follow their recommendations. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/28 "2011-01-17T06:11:25Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Maybe the OP wasn’t drunk? He was just tired from drinking all night? I think most of us can (ashamedly) remember a night or two from our younger years when we went to work still drunk from the night before. Tired from drinking all night probably means still drunk from drinking all night. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/29 "2011-01-17T06:36:56Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I think most of us can (ashamedly) remember a night or two from our younger years when we went to work still drunk from the night before. Tired from drinking all night probably means still drunk from drinking all night. Well, no. That was when I called in sick. Better to be in trouble for that than fired for smelling like a brewery or still being tipsy at work! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/30 "2011-01-17T11:32:16Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Yeah, the best thing for you to do right now is just shut your mouth and let your union guy argue it because the post you wrote above is horrible and obviously a lie. No one gets sent to take an alcohol test because they are a little unshaven in Ft McMurray Canada in the middle of winter. If companies sent people for alcohol tests for being unshaven I would have spent much of my career having one done. I usually shave twice a week at most. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/31 "2011-01-17T13:56:34Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I think most of us can (ashamedly) remember a night or two from our younger years when we went to work still drunk from the night before. Tired from drinking all night probably means still drunk from drinking all night. “Alcohol in your system” drunk, perhaps. “Over the legal limit” drunk? That’s a little different. And if you work in a factory, presumably with heavy equipment, I don’t think “Ah, youth” is an adequate excuse. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/32 "2011-01-17T14:05:22Z")
> [@Cat Whisperer](#): > > I think most of us can (ashamedly) remember a night or two from our younger years when we went to work still drunk from the night before. Tired from drinking all night probably means still drunk from drinking all night It was a joke. Chances are if you are “drinking all night” you are coming into work the next morning drunk or at least with a bad hangover. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/33 "2011-01-17T14:27:12Z")
Were you \*\*\*denied \*\*\*Union representation, or did you forget to/neglect to ask for it? \*Huge \*distinction, at least where work. Managers do not have to remind a Union employee that they have that right, but do have the obligation to stop an investigation should the employee request it. In a time-sensitive situation, any Union employee will be considered a rep. Again, that’s at least where I work, in the US. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/34 "2011-01-17T14:29:48Z")
[QUOTE=OpalCat] Am I the only one thinking he was still legally drunk when he wrote the OP? [/QUOTE] Not only that, I was wondering if Super Kapowzler’s brother found us. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/35 "2011-01-17T15:51:58Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Am I the only one thinking he was still legally drunk when he wrote the OP? Given that he came back to the Dope 28 minutes later to post [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13359998&postcount=47), I’d call that a pretty good bet. ---
**Author:** ![todd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/fbc32d/32.png) [@todd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/todd)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/36 "2011-01-17T20:07:28Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > What’s your trade? I agree, let the union take care of it. > > I will say, if you cop to alcoholism they may not be able to fire you if you agree to get treatment as it’s considered a health condition. You could check the AADIC website for info. > > Have you been warned about lateness/coming to work under the influence before? > > ETA - I wouldn’t worry too much about the brethalizer readings - it’s entirely possible that _ANY_ reading above 0 will get you in hot water. Again, depending on your trade your Health and Safety guy would probably shit a brick if you tried to use rigging equipment after drinking. The union is looking at it and now I have a meeting with HR and the union on thursday this week to hear verdict - maybe a last chance agreement..i hope and Im a power sysytems high voltage jorneyman ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/37 "2011-01-17T20:10:41Z")
> [@todd](#): > > Im a power sysytems high voltage jorneyman No problem with being drunk on the job in that line of work. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![todd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/fbc32d/32.png) [@todd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/todd)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/38 "2011-01-17T20:11:05Z")
the company manager has been out for me since the privacy comissioner ruled in my favor on 3 counts of privacy breach and removed all HR from employment and half the staff that breached my personal information - so there is bad blood there - and besides I worked with this now - manager 20 years ago in a differtent town - as a neighbor and we disliked each other then - so in regards to your statement - i did not lie …!! ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/39 "2011-01-17T20:19:49Z")
The thought of a legally-drunk “power sysytems high voltage jorneyman” (sic) on the job does not fill me with comfort. And if you were blowing .088 at noon, I can’t imagine what your blood alcohol content was at midnight. I think your best bet is to say nothing to anybody until that meeting on Thursday. And ask for the union to provide a lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![todd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/fbc32d/32.png) [@todd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/todd)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808/40 "2011-01-17T20:21:46Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > No problem with being drunk on the job in that line of work. :dubious: the readings were 0.02 0.04 and o.o6 and o.08 and 0.086 - and they admitted they did not know how to use the machine as it was 5 days old - so why do they record the only high readings - because they didi not know what they were - doing - and they are being summoned to confess their readings and knowledge of this machine !!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-to-use-breathalizer-at-work/567808.md?page=3)