Dear J.T. & Dale: My friend got arrested for DUI. My question to you is, should he tell his boss? His lawyer says not to, as he has only been charged with a DUI, not convicted. However, I am of the feeling that being up-front is the best way to go instead of her finding out from someone else. (He was arrested in a county far from our workplace, so it will not be listed in the local paper.) – Elaine

Dale: If your friend wants to confess to his boss, that says something good about him. Guilt feelings are underrated, they’ve changed many lives for the better. However, feeling guilty and being legally guilty are different, and I’d urge him to hold off on confiding in his employer.

J.T.: It will be quite a while before his trial and who knows what might transpire. He could leave the job for a better one. Also, there might be a chance he won’t be convicted.

Dale: And while a DUI might be public information, it really isn’t the employer’s business, unless he is driving for the company.

J.T.: And if he is, this will cheer him up: I know of a young man who worked for a rent-a-car agency who got convicted of DUI. He told the company, and they moved him over to washing cars while his license was suspended. Then he was given his old job back.

Dale: We believe your friend can expect cooperation. A DUI is far from shocking. So while we’d advise him to expect cooperation, we suggest he not call upon it till he needs to.