Coworker got drunk and missed her presentation

[Anonymous]

Employee explains themselves, there is some kind of punishment. Not a fan of one mistake costing somewhere their job unless it's extreme (assault, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Good for her, that is exactly what those BS events are for.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, at my company we’re waaaay to slow to fire people so we’d prob do nothing at least in the short term. If could eventually lead to a PIP. But even the staff at my company would say we’re too slow to fire people.

IMHO, no call no show should be immediate termination.

[Anonymous]

Were they roofied?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Were they roofied?

Good point. Someone needs to have a delicate conversation with this employee, because if she was assaulted at a company event, she can sue the company.

[Anonymous]

We had two people traveling together get wasted and miss their flight. Both were eventually let go.

We had another person get wasted at an evening reception and miss their early morning job duties at a major event. Coworkers scrambled to cover while making sure they were okay (not dead in a ditch somewhere). They were let go eventually.

In short: nothing happened on the spot. Investigations and transition planning happened (and everything was coordinated with GC and HR).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:was there no back up plan?

I don’t get this. The colleague showed up to the event the night before and then ghosted. Of course there was no back up plan besides someone else winging the slide deck. Do you all have understudies for everything?

Yes we all have backups and supervisors and SMEs and program managers who can step in… people get sick and get in accidents so yes we always have a plan b.

The backup is the supervisor winging it. Yes, the slide deck is shared somewhere that’s accessible. That’s hardly acceptable or equivalent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:was there no back up plan?

I don’t get this. The colleague showed up to the event the night before and then ghosted. Of course there was no back up plan besides someone else winging the slide deck. Do you all have understudies for everything?

Yes we all have backups and supervisors and SMEs and program managers who can step in… people get sick and get in accidents so yes we always have a plan b.

The backup is the supervisor winging it. Yes, the slide deck is shared somewhere that’s accessible. That’s hardly acceptable or equivalent.

If your supervisor is less adequate than the presenter you have bigger problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had two people traveling together get wasted and miss their flight. Both were eventually let go.

We had another person get wasted at an evening reception and miss their early morning job duties at a major event. Coworkers scrambled to cover while making sure they were okay (not dead in a ditch somewhere). They were let go eventually.

In short: nothing happened on the spot. Investigations and transition planning happened (and everything was coordinated with GC and HR).

This is the correct way to do it, to ensure that whatever decisions are made are fair and justified.

[Anonymous]

Assuming they are a high performer in a specialized role? Most likely a PIP combined with a recommendation to attend rehab or referral to the EAP. Conditions of the PIP would include things like mandatory in-person check-ins on time, daily. We can't dictate what they do in their off hours, but we can have requirements about them showing up on time and ready to work.

And they wouldn't be invited to attend another conference or present anything (internal or external) for a long, long time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:was there no back up plan?

I don’t get this. The colleague showed up to the event the night before and then ghosted. Of course there was no back up plan besides someone else winging the slide deck. Do you all have understudies for everything?

No but we all have access to the presentation. We can all do the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good for her, that is exactly what those BS events are for.

Agree with this. At these BS circlejerks, more is getting done at the bar at midnight than at some celebratory presentation at 8 am.

That being said, it's clearly problematic when the presenter is not presenting. High performing drunks show up on time and do what's needed.

This is definitely a where is she on the value totem pole issue. If an unnecessary person, it's goodbye. If somewhat necessary, here's your rehab option. If totally necessary, please don't drink vodka again.

Responses are variable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:was there no back up plan?

I don’t get this. The colleague showed up to the event the night before and then ghosted. Of course there was no back up plan besides someone else winging the slide deck. Do you all have understudies for everything?

Yes we all have backups and supervisors and SMEs and program managers who can step in… people get sick and get in accidents so yes we always have a plan b.

The backup is the supervisor winging it. Yes, the slide deck is shared somewhere that’s accessible. That’s hardly acceptable or equivalent.

If your supervisor is less adequate than the presenter you have bigger problems.

You think the person who is not slated to give the presentation should be equally if not more prepared than the planned presenter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:was there no back up plan?

I don’t get this. The colleague showed up to the event the night before and then ghosted. Of course there was no back up plan besides someone else winging the slide deck. Do you all have understudies for everything?

Yes we all have backups and supervisors and SMEs and program managers who can step in… people get sick and get in accidents so yes we always have a plan b.

The backup is the supervisor winging it. Yes, the slide deck is shared somewhere that’s accessible. That’s hardly acceptable or equivalent.

Eh, if there was anything important in that powerpoint they can send it as an email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:was there no back up plan?

I don’t get this. The colleague showed up to the event the night before and then ghosted. Of course there was no back up plan besides someone else winging the slide deck. Do you all have understudies for everything?

At a major event that took six months to plan? Yes, you prepare for contingencies. Feel free to fire her, but at least reprimand whoever organized the event for their own negligence.