Ask HR: My employee smells like pot.

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Dear HR,

I received a complaint from a customer that an employee at my shop smells like pot. I have not witnessed the employee acting suspiciously so don’t think there is enough to go on for a reasonable suspicion drug test. What can I do?

 

askHRAnswer:

Privately, and directly, advise the employee of the complaint.

Ask if they had smoked/used. Will either get (a) a confession, or more likely, (b) a denial.

  • If (a), reaction should be “we don’t tolerate” at a minimum.
  • If (b), then either its a true denial and the customer was wrong, or its a false denial hopefully your employee will take the close call and at least  avoid smoking pot before coming to work.

Conversation should be documented.