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 Andrew on -
Well, that's a shame. I hope I don't have to work with a bunch of alcoholics. I was hoping for a more relaxed enviroment. Where the people are naturally happy.
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Permalink Reply by Michael McDaniel on
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have you checked out Xanterra in Estes Park, Co? Super chill, the housing is amazing...and it's in the heart of the Rockies...
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Permalink Reply by Andrew on
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Not yet, most my apps have been for AK so far. If that falls through I've been looking at Colorado and the such. There's so many awesome places to work on here it was a bit overwhelming. Surely I'll find one.
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Permalink Reply by Erin on -
Don't judge all seasonal workers by this conversation. A lot of them are adventurous and relaxed and full of interesting stories and lives! There are, however, some who are not. It's the same as everywhere in the "real world." I've met some of the most amazing people doing seasonal work... and then I've met people who've lived a mile from the entrance to Yosemite for a year and never once ventured inside the park. You make your own choices, ya know?
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yep...she's 100% right.
i've met the best people....i've got friends scattered throughout the country...and even some as far away as Peru...
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Permalink Reply by Andrew on
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It's all good. I've been trying not to judge anyone anymore, just to learn what I can. I know what I want to gain from the seasonal experience and it doesn't involve any sort of substance abuse. I'm sure I will meet people from all walks of life and I'm sure each is there for a reason. It's just that most of those who I'm acquainted with now partake in the abuse or misuse of their stimulant of choice. I'm looking to get away from it for a healthier lifestyle. But this could go for almost anyone, because everything is a stimulant and we are all human, no? Sorry if I went of topic with this post. I plan on having a drink while dining on my first salmon ever caught if that helps. Well, maybe I won't eat the first one.
And, are hammocks safe in AK? If I had to sleep in a tent.
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hell yeah, hammocks recomended
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Alaska was my favorite job. I started with Aramark....but they are not a good company. They told us we would have housing, and when we arrived they put us in tents :) That turned out to be pretty fun, but then they refused to give us two days off in a row to go to the coast.....so we quit and went to work for a smaller company...Canyon Gift Co, just owned by some dude.
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Permalink Reply by Lea on -
Hey I was in the Tent City too! It wasn't so fun when the sewage started spewing everywhere ... But it was definitely something I won't ever forget.
There was a lot of the partying the first few weeks at the tents - and I was a bit uncomfortable with it because I'm not much of a drinker (and being in tents it was hard to get any sleep with the noise) but it did calm down after a couple of weeks and was much better. Until the sewage ...
I'll never work for Aramark again.
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Herzig on -
After 4 summers at Crater Lake I've noticed almost universal heavy drinking amongst the internationals, who usually come from countries where alcohol can be consumed at age 18 or lower, as well as with underage domestic eimployees. I'm an old guy and I know that an occasional night out to relieve work tensions and isolation sometimes works, I've done it myself. There really needs to be an active and perceptive employee rec coordinator who does there job well to counter the urge to go and get "blasted" to solve problems. During the 4 summers sometimes the coordinator does the job well , and sometimes they "just don't get it".
I'd say the the most important jobs that can make great strides to having an enjoyable
summer's work and keeping outrages behavior (including heavy drinking) under control are:
1.) The Employee Dining Room cooks;
2.) The Employee Rec coordinator;
3.) The Dormitory monitor/security person;
4.) The HR manager who'll take action and rapidly dismiss those who need to go.
I'm not a prude and certainly do my share of responsible drinking, but when it comes to any outrages behavior that disturbs others sleep and/or damages property they need to be canned if their behavior will not change.
That's my two bits worth.
Joey
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Permalink Reply by Kari Quaas on -
Solid two bits, Joey.
Kari
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