01/25/2005: 
Criminally Absurd
Employees Can Be Fired For Smoking
from Wired NewsWeyco, Inc., a health benefits company based in Michigan, fired four employees who refused to take a tobacco drug test after the company adopted a policy January 1 that allows them to fire employees who smoke, even on their own time.
Although a case can be made that a company can make all the ridiculous rules it wants, and you don't have to work there if you do not like them, this is a disturbing development for everyone, even if you don't puff the un- wacky tobaccy. Weyco, Inc. is making it company policy to monitor the non- illegal activities of their workers outside the boundaries of work. They don't want to pay for the medical bills of smokers, and soon they may want to fire their obese employees for eating fast food after work as well. Where does the right of the corporation you work for to dictate your activities end and your private life begin?
4 Annotations Submitted
Tuesday the 25th of January, prof noted:
I spotted a small typo in your post, when you said "private life" you really meant "corporate granted down time"
Tuesday the 25th of January, M.C. Smoothie noted:
facism alive and well in the workplace? it is up to us to make more money than these companies and put them out of business. like the japanese business=war mentality, only now its facists v the republic. GET TO WORK.
Wednesday the 26th of January, santo2- sizzle noted:
one of the major ways we have to enact change right now is economically. we are outnumbered in political elections who support this kind of asanine facist mentality, but our money speaks. why are there more hybrid cars and iPods being produced? because those with money to spend do not want to support the old paradigms.
do not support businesses that think this is a way to increase their bottom line.
Wednesday the 26th of January, F*&# you all noted:
Same people who complain about privacy are the first ones to complain about healthcare costs eating away their paycheck.
