ABSTRACT

Case 22.1: a serious problem During the vocational training of occupational health physicians, one of the trainees tells a story. He has had a phone call from a Mr Taylor, an employer who asks him to visit Mr Smith, one of his employees. Mr Taylor has the idea that Mr Smith has a serious problem with alcohol, which is the reason for his frequent absence from work. Mr Taylor requests a report from the occupational health physician, and states, more or less explicitly, that he is going to fire Mr Smith if alcoholism is the problem. The trainee asks the group how to deal with the request from the employer.