# Zero Tolerance gone mad again! - or - I'm in trouble **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 16, 2008, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769 "2008-01-16T19:23:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![fatgail](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fatgail/32/7285_2.png) [@fatgail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fatgail)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/41 "2008-01-16T21:32:24Z")
[QUOTE=Santo Rugger] I guess I’m feeling quite cynical today, but how else do you expect them to make record of the warning, with a tape recorder? Burn it onto a CD? [/QUOTE] I think the nature of a VERBAL warning is such that it doesn’t MAR your record, which is why verbal warnings usually come first, then you get written up, and then you get spanked, hard, by a tall brunette. That way, when you get the written warning, you know that it’s Srs Biznis ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/42 "2008-01-16T21:33:40Z")
[QUOTE=MsRobyn] Next time, just lock it in your trunk. What they can’t see can’t hurt you. [/QUOTE] This is a good idea anyway- I can absolutely picture a homeless person smashing your window to get at the vodka. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/43 "2008-01-16T21:35:28Z")
[QUOTE=Otto] I’m also now subject to random drug and alcohol screenings for the next six months. [/QUOTE] So does that mean you can’t drink the night before work as you may have alcohol in your system? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/44 "2008-01-16T21:35:32Z")
This sounds like something I’d do if I were building a paper trail I’m planning on using to get someone fired. **Otto** , has the hair on the back of your neck told you your days might be numbered where you work? ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/45 "2008-01-16T21:37:46Z")
There has to be a record of a verbal warning. That’s why **Otto** has a piece of paper. A actual written warning is the next step up. Fucked indeed. I worked for IBM and they pulled this kind of shit as well. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/46 "2008-01-16T21:38:27Z")
[QUOTE=Finagle] I have a (tiny, unopened) bottle of vodka in my \* desk \*. [/QUOTE] Is that all? I have a giant bottle of Pyrat rum sitting _in plain view on top of my bookcase._ Ah, the perks of the dot-com… ---
**Author:** ![fatgail](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fatgail/32/7285_2.png) [@fatgail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fatgail)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/47 "2008-01-16T21:39:08Z")
[QUOTE=Cervaise] Is that all? I have a giant bottle of Pyrat rum sitting _in plain view on top of my bookcase._ Ah, the perks of the dot-com… [/QUOTE] OH YEAH? I’m snorting meth off of ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/48 "2008-01-16T21:42:12Z")
[QUOTE=fatgail] …then you get written up, and then you get spanked, hard, by a tall brunette… [/QUOTE] Man, do we have crappy enforcement of our policies at my job! This NEVER happens! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/49 "2008-01-16T21:43:40Z")
[QUOTE=fatgail] I think the nature of a VERBAL warning is such that it doesn’t MAR your record, which is why verbal warnings usually come first, then you get written up, and then you get spanked, hard, by a tall brunette. [/QUOTE] Can I just skip directly to that last part? :eek:😃 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/50 "2008-01-16T21:44:48Z")
Sure. His name is Bubba. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/51 "2008-01-16T21:45:23Z")
[QUOTE=fatgail] OH YEAH? I’m snorting meth off of ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. [/QUOTE] Dude, I just shot up and I’m your ambulance driver. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/52 "2008-01-16T21:46:23Z")
[QUOTE=Santo Rugger] I guess I’m feeling quite cynical today, but how else do you expect them to make record of the warning, with a tape recorder? Burn it onto a CD? [/QUOTE] I’d say a .wav file should do just fine. 😉 Or they could just note it in a logbook. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/53 "2008-01-16T21:47:32Z")
Strange. We have a fairly strict alcohol policy (in an attempt to keep people from being killed by machinery), but even ours allows for unopened containers in cars. Not open or unopened in the building, and not open in cars. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/54 "2008-01-16T21:48:04Z")
Otto- Thank you for reminding me again of one of the many reasons I’m self employed. Corporate CYA culture sucks. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/55 "2008-01-16T21:51:49Z")
Since you weren’t intoxicated and didn’t reek, how can they prove it was vodka? There was a clear liquid in a bottle they never observed in first person. Heresay’s might slim evidence for double secret probation. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/56 "2008-01-16T21:52:50Z")
[QUOTE=yojimbo] So does that mean you can’t drink the night before work as you may have alcohol in your system? [/QUOTE] The worst case I heard of like this was a story a friend of mine who worked for London Transport told me. Because the train drivers have to be tested for drink - and there’s absolute zero tolerance for the presence of any alcohol at all, even in “legal” quantities - the ancillary staff have to abide by the same rules. There was a guy she knew, who wasn’t much liked, who worked in one of the ancillary offices. He had a leaving party, and bought round after round of drinks for his coworkers, who - at the time - concluded “he isn’t such a bad guy after all”. The next morning, the HR department got an “anonymous tipoff” that this particular office might have some people who might have alcohol in their bloodstreams. The entire office was breathalyzed, and about five people got fired. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/57 "2008-01-16T22:09:04Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] The next morning, the HR department got an “anonymous tipoff” that this particular office might have some people who might have alcohol in their bloodstreams. The entire office was breathalyzed, and about five people got fired. [/QUOTE] There are times that I have to work to remind myself that incidents where some complete asshole “fell down a ladder” several times before getting to medical assistance is not something to celebrate. This would be another one of those times. I assume that after that, no one would have dick to do with that yutz. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/58 "2008-01-16T22:13:03Z")
We keep beer in the fridge at work, and have a happy hour at the end of the week, or when we’re celebrating a significant accomplishment. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/59 "2008-01-16T22:15:19Z")
[QUOTE=Cervaise] Is that all? I have a giant bottle of Pyrat rum sitting _in plain view on top of my bookcase._ Ah, the perks of the dot-com… [/QUOTE] Hell, we have a couple of kegs in the lunch room… ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769/60 "2008-01-16T22:21:09Z")
[QUOTE=garygnu] I get to have wine and beer on a fairly regular basis at work. About 2-3 times a month, more during the holidays. [/QUOTE] I temped in a temp agency over the summer, and because I wasn’t a total reject, they adored me. (It’s really eye-opening to see who comes to work at a temp agency: as the front-office guy, I had to tell about three or four people a week that their felony record made them ineligible for work through us). Anyway, I didn’t get to go to the staff meetings, because I was a temp and they needed someone to watch the phones. During the first staff meeting, the exec assistant came up to me and said, “I’m making daiquiris, do you want one?” I said sure, but then she asked, “Virgin or vodka?” And I was all like, “uh, virgin, I guess,” because I was so shocked. But then I found out everyone else was having theirs with booze, and I thought, damn! I’ve never worked anywhere before (or since) where drinking on the job was allowed. Daniel [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-tolerance-gone-mad-again-or-im-in-trouble/433769.md?page=4)