When a Coworker Drinks at Work: 3 Tips for Intervention

A coworker who has one drink at lunch isn't as likely to cause harm to themselves or others as the person who drinks all day at work.

This is an important distinction as you consider 3 tips for intervention. Why would you attempt to intervene, in other words, in a coworker's problematic drinking when a problem doesn't really exist?

Still, once problem drinking is recognized, you are often put in a dilemma. You don't want to sound threatening to the coworker who drinks at work, but you feel you have to say something.

The following are 3 tips for intervention.

Tip #1 Trust Your Good Intentions

Naturally, not all scenarios are the same when a coworker drinks at work. What might be the right way to intervene in one scenario might be completely unsuited for another one.

Do you approach a man whose been with the company for 30 years about his problem drinking, for example?

Although it is awkward to confront a coworker who drinks at work, however, you can begin to feel more comfortable when you trust your good intentions. Remember, your motives are to help this person.

The right attitude will allow you to speak with confidence as you try to help a coworker who drinks at work.

Tip #2 Trust the Coworker's Sense of Fairness

Another tip for intervention when a coworker drinks at work is to trust in this person's sense of fairness.

You can explain that their drinking is putting your job at risk since you are keeping the boss from knowing what's going on.

Depending on the nature of the job, the coworker who drinks at work may also eventually cause physical harm to others.

As you try to help the coworker who drinks at work, you should give this person the benefit of the doubt that they will respect your needs and concerns.

Tip #3 Refer to the Company's Policy

One of the chances you take as you confront a coworker who drinks at work is that this person might become defensive and hostile.

"I've been working here for 30 years! How dare you suggest I have a drinking problem!"

In this scenario, it is best to simply point out the company's policy regarding drinking on the job. If the coworker obviously smells like alcohol, this tip for intervention puts the problem squarely into an official capacity.

It is not you who is telling the coworker not to drink on the job, in other words, it is the company which is setting the rules against it.

In sum, there are 3 tips for intervention when a coworker drinks at work. These tips are meant to emphasize the worth of this person and why they should get help.

Remember, the problem is not in them, it is the drinking that is the problem. Once that is resolved, they can be useful again.

Source: Personal Experience