Shelly was identified at work as an incredibly conservative human being who had a superb attendance record. She in no way went to any of the happy hours immediately after work and it was known throughout the office that she was a deeply spiritual individual who regularly talked about the dangers regarding alcohol abuse and alcoholism in our country.
Try to think of the shock in the workplace when one Monday morning Shelly did not show up for work and nobody had heard from her. In fact, it wasn’t until about 9:15 in the morning that the human resources department received a phone call about Shelly from the city jail.
Shelly Goes Out Drinking Together With a Handful of Her College House Mates
Seemingly, Shelly went out drinking together with a number of her university buddies Saturday night and sometime about 3:15 Sunday morning, Shelly was arrested for “driving under the influence”. Because her blood alcohol concentration was extremely elevated, she was mandated to spend two days in the local jail.
Shelly Talks to Her Manager and The Human Resources Director
When Shelly arrived at work on Tuesday morning, she promptly told her superior what had taken place and she asked if she could go and talk with the Human Resources manager about her “driving under the influence” arrest.
When she got to the Human Resources department and met with the manager, she discussed that she had not been inebriated since her university days and that she was extremely embarrassed about her “drunk driving” arrest. She also stressed the point that she wanted some assistance finding a highly skilled and effective DWI attorney who would represent her DWI case. More to the point, Shelly really wanted the Human Resources manager to agree that she needed to see a DUI attorney.
The Human Resources manager told Shelly that she needs to schedule an appointment with somebody in the company employee’s assistance program to discuss any possible drinking problem that she may have. The HR manager also articulated that she needs to go over her need to employ a DWI attorney to represent her regarding her “drunk driving” case.
Not only this but the Human Resources manager told Shelly that it was constructive that she wanted to employ a DWI lawyer because of the difficulties and serious implications which are linked to a DWI conviction.
The Human Resources director could tell that Shelly was plainly depressed and embarrassed by this overall predicament. Consequently, he informed Shelly that while he doesn’t feel that responsible people should ever get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, sadly these conditions at times happen to really good people.
The Human Resources director then explained that since such a situation can’t be undone, what’s critical is what the particular person does from this point in time forward. As acknowledged by the Human Resources director, “does the man or women learn from his or her errors or does she or he develop a pattern of alcohol related issues that cause the particular person long-term suffering and pain”?
Fortunately, Shelly Did Not Have a History of Irresponsible and Hazardous Drinking
Just before completing their conversation, the Human Resources director explained to Shelly that it was very positive that she doesn’t have a track record of hazardous and abusive drinking drinking. Furthermore, she hasn’t had an alcohol-related situation since her university days (which was just about 18 years ago). Consequently, Shelly should be in a position to deal with her DUI arrest with embarrassment but also with a degree of self-confidence knowing that she will confront and work through this predicament and become a healthier person in the not too distant future.
Shelly thanked the Human Resources director for his helpful and encouraging words and then walked over to the company employee’s assistance program to discuss her “drunk driving” arrest, her participation in unhealthy and abusive drinking drinking over the past weekend, and her need to hire a DWI attorney to represent her “driving under the influence” case.
After hearing Shelly’s “story,” the doctor that was part of the company employee’s assistance program explained Shelly’s immediate “action plan” that she needed to address and follow. First, she would be required to take a DUI class to learn more DUI facts and information. Second, she would also be required to take an alcohol abuse class to address her possible problem drinking. And finally, it would be a particularily wise thing to do if she were to meet with a DUI lawyer about her “driving while intoxicated” arrest.
Shelly Feels Comfort Knowing That She Will Learn From Her Slip-Up and Become More Dependable and Successful
It was very clear that Shelly was particularly disappointed with the entire DWI situation, but right after talking to the Human Resources director and to the psychologist inside the company employee’s assistance program, she felt comfort knowing that she would in actual fact learn from her oversight and become even more healthy and balanced, more sensible and successful, and an even more grateful individual.
