Explain why the actions taken by the CEO in relation to Worker X after the incident on 26 April were NOT appropriate. Notes: You are not required to suggest what actions should have been taken instead. You should support your answer, where applicable, using relevant information and supporting document  

Recently, several of the workers in the warehouse have been concerned about Worker X, one of the FLT drivers. There have been several occasions when Worker X has been reported to the WM for driving erratically. The WM has suggested to Worker X that they attend an FLT driver refresher training course, but so far Worker X has been reluctant to do this. It is 26 April, and in the warehouse the early shift is about to start. Worker W (one of the other FLT drivers) is awaiting the arrival of their colleague, Worker X. They have worked together for a long time and have formed a strong bond over the years. Recently, Worker W has expressed concern, because Worker X hardly spends any time talking to them and does not laugh and joke or socialise, as they used to. The two workers used to spend breaks and lunch together in the break room, but this has recently stopped. The early shift has started, and Worker W goes to get on with their job. An hour into the shift, Worker X arrives for work and goes into the changing area. Worker W follows them and asks if they are feeling alright, showing typical concern for their colleague’s wellbeing. Worker X mutters that they are ‘fine’ and that they wish everyone would leave them alone. Worker W is concerned about their friend, but decides not to question them any further. The WM is going through the job sheets with Workers X and W, indicating there are five urgent despatch jobs that must be finished today. The WM jokes with Worker X about them being late for the second time that week, and Worker X makes the same excuse as a previous time. During the morning it has again been reported to the WM that Worker X has been driving the FLT erratically. The WM makes a mental note to speak to Worker X later, when the shift is coming to an end. In the meantime, the WM decides to have a quiet word with Worker W. Worker W feels awkward and does not want to make things worse for Worker X, but does mention to the WM that the team are concerned about Worker X. Worker W also has suspicions that Worker X may have problems at home, as they are drinking a lot of alcohol and seem to be taking longer breaks. Half an hour after lunch, the WM is in their office preparing for an off-site meeting with an important customer, when they see Worker X reverse into a pallet of finished product that was on the urgent despatch list. The WM is angered by this, especially because they are in a rush to get to their meeting. They phone the CEO and ask them to speak to Worker X. The WM quickly explains to the CEO what has been happening recently, the suspicions raised by other workers, and about the incident that has just occurred. The CEO does not want to hear excuses when they speak to Worker X. The CEO immediately accuses Worker X of being drunk at work and says that this will not be tolerated. They issue a warning to Worker X and state that if anything like this happens again, they will be immediately dismissed from their job. Before Worker X can say anything, the CEO tells them to go home and sober up! Supporting info - email 1: From: CEO Sent: 26 April 2023 13:10 To: HR Manager Subject: Worker X and alcohol problem Good afternoon, Just had to deal with an incident involving Worker X. It seemed they were drunk while driving the FLT and reversed it into a pallet of product, which is now all damaged. I have sent them home and told them if it happens again, it would be straight to dismissal. The Warehouse Manager tells me some of the team have had suspicions about their behaviour for a while. Need to sort this before it happens again. Please can you get a policy issued and just set up arrangements for alcohol testing for Worker X and the rest of the Warehouse team. Regards CEO Supporting info - email 2: From: HR Manager Sent: 26 April 2023 14:00 To: CEO Subject: Private and Confidential Good afternoon. Thank you for your e-mail outlining this serious incident and the actions you have taken to date. I request we meet urgently to discuss the handling of this particular matter concerning Worker X. In relation to your request regarding an alcohol policy, this is not just something that can be issued. However, I will give this some thought and come back to you tomorrow with a proposal on how such a policy could be developed. Introducing alcohol testing is a complex matter with a range of contractual, practical and legal considerations, which means I cannot just set this up. I can outline these considerations to you when we meet. Regards HR