Living & Working in Great Places
Alcohol abuse in the seasonal world?
So along with all the amazing things about seasonal work, there are some bad ones too - like the rampant alcohol abuse in the industry - not just partying (which is also prevalent), but abuse of alcohol. I, myself, fell subject to it on my first seasonal job, and I've seen it take down countless others - drinking at work, getting fired because of it, etc. What can be done about this? What role do employers play? What role do co-workers play? At our current location, we have drug and alcohol testing, but people who fail the tests more often than not get a slap on the wrist instead of fired. So... what can be done? What should be done?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Erin on -
Agreed 100%. Well said. I also just want to add, while it's true that what people do on their own time is their own business, that right to privacy ends when their partying at 4 in the morning wakes me up next door. It's hard when we all live and work and play together, ya know? It would be more one's own business if it were like a normal job and we didn't all live together. But I digress...
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Permalink Reply by Lea on -
From my own personal perspective I think having things to do really does help. It seems to me (in my experiences) that the majority of the partying goes on with the just out of highschool/college crowd and that would also be happening on their college campuses as well. So I don't think it's just a problem with the seasonal work crowds - though it does play into it. (I don't mean to imply that it's just a problem with younger people as I have seen older adults also have this issue - I just mean that I've seen it more frequently with the younger crowd. And it is also a problem on college campuses. That's all I meant ... )
Company sponsored activities really can boost morale and give people prospects and I think it does help. Some people have no idea what they're getting into - especially people who have never been away from the big city and don't realize what an adjustment it can be to work at some of these places. So working for a company that plans events and things to do for employees can definitely help. Especially for those employees who have never experienced wilderness before. (Company sponsored hikes for example - or even employee 'clubs' where folks can meet other folks with similar interests like hiking or nature photography or that sort of thing ... ) I think employers who encourage these sorts of activities do a really great service for the seasonal employee.
But at the same time I think it's each individual person's responsibility to take action and find things to do that aren't disruptive. I don't think having a beer after work is a big deal - but when it turns into ten beers each and every night? That's a different thing all together. Things like that mean it's time to ask yourself 'well, if I'm bored, what can I do about it other than getting trashed every night?'
This summer I'm going to be in a really remote location and I've already planned on bringing a bunch of books to read and some arts and crafts supplies so I'll have things to do when I'm not in the mood to go hiking or whatever other outdoorsy things there are to do. Planning ahead for things to do like that would help, I think. Unfortunately not everyone has the foresight to do that.
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Permalink Reply by akscootr on -
"even employee 'clubs' where folks can meet other folks with similar interests like hiking or nature photography or that sort of thing ... )" hmmmm that is an excellent idea. I have never worked in a place that has successfully brought people of a like mind together in a club. Absolutely outstanding idea
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Permalink Reply by Lea on
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Yeah - when I was in Yellowstone I wished there was a photography club because I often went out shooting alone and would have loved to have had some friends to share the experience with. I did mention it to someone in the rec center but nothing ever came of it - seems like it would be a good idea to encourage people to do something like that. I probably should have been more proactive and posted stuff places to see if any others were interested.
But I think it could really be successful if it was really promoted and employees knew about it.
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Permalink Reply by Rossman on -
Here's my two cents...
The problem of alcohol abuse is most acute in remote areas. Management must recognize and commit to address the issue first. Management sets the stage. Here are a few things that worked for me as Exec Chef for Princess:
- Start with the hiring process. Inform the candidates that drug and alcohol abuse is a real problem and if they have this problem, they will most likely not last the season. Ask the candidate if they can steer clear of drug and alcohol abuse.
- Start the season with a zero tolerance. Kitchen rule #13 was that hangovers and work do not mix. The first person with even a hangover is sent home and written up. Set the stage. It is easier to relax the rules than tighten them.
- Establish a presence in common drinking areas. I went to the bonfires and hung at "the bench" on my off times, frequently with beer or bottle in hand. I learned not to overdo it and by doing so, set an example. It also helped identify those that had a problem.
- Counsel those with an identified problem. Get HR involved if necessary. Don't hope it goes away, because it will only get worse.
- Supply alternate activities. I would nearly always make plans with an employee or cruise through employee housing looking for someone to share recreation with when I was going fishing or hiking or whatnot. Nearly always I would have a taker.
- Terminate any employee with a problem if discipline and counseling do not correct the problem. Even if you are short handed, you will thank yourself and chances are that other, hard-working, employees will thank you, too. No bull.
Bottom line? If you are management, give a shit about the lives of your employees. If that fails, give a shit about the lives of the those that the problem employee affects. And if you don't give a shit, you deserve the drama that goes along with the problem!
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Permalink Reply by Kari Quaas on -
Hey Ross,
I particularly like your comment that "it is easier to relax the rules than tighten them." It's true and beyond that managers/supervisors must be consistent with their policy enforcement. They cannot be nice to one person and let another slide. It's hard to do, but that's what you sign up for when you step into management.
Overall, great thoughts. My take, for sure, is still that people have to care for themselves and those around them.
Kari
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Permalink Reply by Rossman on
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Personally, I could care less what anyone does on their free time. As long as it doesn't bother anyone and they do their job. If I did care, I certainly would be the hypocrite.
My night cook at the winter resort where I work had a party on the last Friday of the season and missed the last Sat & Sun of the season (killer busy) because he had alcohol poisoning (he fessed up and was super sorry). End of season bonus was denied but he came in for cleanup just to get back in good standings for future seasons. This is one kind of drinking I try to avoid. No need to get gestapo about it - just help a brother out in need.
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Permalink Reply by Michael McDaniel on
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amen
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Permalink Reply by Jon ( THE MIXER ) Marshall on -
I do not mind the drinking. But if the drinking starts to interfer with work and others people who don't drink then i have a problem with it. I think that sometimes companys give to many chances to people. I would give 2, and thats it. My first summer in Alaska, alot of the cooks missed 4 or more days because of being hung over, and they kept them on, but i did get a nice raise mid-summer and end of season bonus.
I do not drink, and i do not care of anyone else does.
J
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Permalink Reply by akscootr on
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The word is respect. If I have to be up early to work and someone is yelling and keeping myself and others awake while screaming and yelling @ 2am, there is a problem. It is called lack of respect for others. Take the party away into the woods...
When one decides to live in a communal (dorm) situation that person needs to understand his behavior affects many others. It is not communism to expect an employee to have consideration for others. I like my beer also, but I don't feel as if I have the right to disturb others.
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Permalink Reply by Lea on
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It is not communism to expect an employee to have consideration for others.
Very well said. Agreed.
There is a world of difference between having a beer or two after work and getting so s*** faced drunk that you can't even walk and disturb everyone around you. Especially when you do it night after night.
(By 'you' I just mean a general 'you' not anyone in particular here.)
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