Dear Anne
I have a problem with my job. I work in a pub/restuarant in a semi rural village. I started my job about a year ago and everything was fine. But since the start of this year the pub has gone really rough. This is due to men in their 20's 30's and even 40's snorting cocaine in the toilets. I wouldn't mind but it bothers me because these men get very hostile when they are high on this stuff as well as drunk on alcohol. As a member of staff there is not much I can do, but I am intimidated by these men. I have been confronted in the past because I have unsuspectingly gone to the toilet and interrupted people taking cocaine. I want to tell the boss, but wonder what the consequences would be if I did or whether he just doesn't care. I want to quit but I like my job, just not the people in the bar when I am working or having a drink. I really want to quit but then I don't because it's a good job. I work in the kitchen. I would rather help "clean" the pub of these people but I don't know what to do. What do you think I should do? Paul
Dear Paul
I can appreciate that it's unpleasant working in an environment where drug-taking is apparently acceptable. However, by doing nothing about it, aren't you showing that you find it acceptable too?
What if the manager doesn't know and when he does find out, he's angry because you and the other staff have let it carry on? I know it's possible that your manager is aware of the problem and condones it, but unless you speak to him about it, you won't know whether he'll tackle the problem, will you?
It may be worth finding a quiet moment where you can talk to him alone and say, I've just seen some guys snorting coke in the toilets. What do you think I should do about it? That leaves your position neutral so that you stand a better chance of discovering his opinion. You could also try the same sort of neutral statement on the bouncer, if there is one. Alternatively you could ring your local police station (get the number from Yellow Pages rather than ringing 999, which is for emergencies only). You can speak anonymously if you choose, and say briefly what you've seen and where. Or you can ask that your name and details be kept confidential because you work there. The police may be more likely to take you seriously if you do give your name.
There is another point, though. You say you like your job, but part of that job involves working in this sort of threatening atmosphere. If neither your manager nor the police do sort out the situation soon, you could consider whether finding another job, perhaps in a hotel or relatively upmarket restaurant, would be better for your peace of mind and your career prospects.
I do wish you and all the other staff and customers a peaceful and legal outcome to this situation. Good luck!
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