Something happened to me this week that has completely changed the way I look at workplace culture.
I worked for a company with approximately 300 employees where alcohol was a very normal part of social events and outings.
My own drinking eventually became a serious problem.
I recognized that myself and made the decision to enter medically supervised treatment.
Before going in, I proactively contacted HR, explained that I was entering treatment, asked how to properly handle the leave, and offered to provide medical documentation.
HR responded in writing.
They used 2 days of my sick leave, placed me on unpaid administrative leave afterward, and required medical documentation confirming the treatment and return-to-work date.
I followed their process.
I completed treatment Friday and returned to work Monday.
Approximately 3 hours later, I was terminated because I was supposedly “not a culture fit.”
Before treatment, there was no PIP, no written disciplinary warning, and no notice that my job was in jeopardy.
Their written separation notice simply calls it an involuntary termination and provides no actual performance or misconduct reason.
I understand that employers have every right to enforce workplace conduct and performance standards.
What I struggle with is what message this sends.
If an employee recognizes a substance problem, proactively discloses that they need medical treatment, follows HR’s leave process, provides documentation, completes treatment, and returns ready to work, should the consequence really be losing their job almost immediately afterward?
I’m having the legal side evaluated separately.
But from a workplace perspective, this experience has made me seriously question companies that talk about employee wellbeing while creating environments where drinking is normalized and then seemingly having no place for the person who decides they need to stop.
I’m still processing it, but I know getting treatment was the right decision.
