Constructive Confrontation
Constructive confrontation is an approach for supervisors to deal with employees who are troubled by alcohol use or abuse. The key is hold a few informal discussions with the troubled employee that highlight unsatisfactory job performance--and to coach employees with strategies to improve job performance--and to let the employee know that there are consequences for continued poor job performance. If job performance continues to suffer, the next step would be for the supervisor to implement formal discipline, starting with an oral warning and escalating to written warnings, suspension, and possibly discharge. At each step, the supervisor will recommend that the troubled employee seek help to resolve problems that may affect job performance through the firm's employee assistance program.