Casimer Gacioch began working for Stroh Brewery on February 24, 1947. When he be

Question

Casimer Gacioch began working for Stroh Brewery on February 24, 1947. When he began his work for Stroh, he was predisposed to alcoholism, but he had not yet become an uncontrolled alcoholic. Beer was provided free at the brewery and was available to all employees on the job. This availability had been negotiated through a collective bargaining agreement. Employees could drink beer during their breaks and at lunch with no limit on the amount. Mr. Gacioch did not drink at home during the week but drank three or four bottles of beer on the week- end. At work, he drank 12 bottles a day. He was not a test taster; he ran a machine that fed cases of beer to a soaker. He became an alcoholic, was intoxicated on the job, and could not perform his work. He was fired on August 30, 1974. Mr. Gacioch pursued a workers’ compensation claim against Stroh because the free-beer policy accelerated his problem.

Explain whether he is entitled to worker’s compensation.

Explanation / Answer

Mr, Gacioch is not entitled to worker's compensation. The employes gave the option to have alcohol and this was done after a round of negotiation with the company. This does not mean that the employee can get drunk and stop working properly. The employees need to have good work ethics and make sure that the personal activities do not harm the productivity at work. Mr. Gacioch took advantage of the situation and started drinking more than what is allowed. The company did the right thing by firing him as his behavior was affecting the productivity. The company also might have made a mistake by hiring him even after knowing that he is alcoholic. But he was not an uncontrolled alcoholic when he was hired so the problem is with Mr, Gacioh. He was not even in the beer tasting department and yet he started drinking 12 bottles of beer every day. The company provides facilities to keep the employees happy and the employees need to make sure that they do not take advantage of this situation and create problems.

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