Legal or not, you could get fired for smoking pot (Colorado)

The Denver Channel ^ | 12/29/2013 | Russell Haythorn

[Born to Conserve]

Let’s say you run a company. Obviously there are going to be good workers and bad workers. It is very hard to just fire someone for being a “bad” worker. Now lets say that, coincidentally, most good workers don’t smoke pot, and most bad workers do smoke pot. It is a no-brainer.

[Jeff Chandler]

Why do Baptists object so strongly to pre-marital sex?
They’re afraid it might lead to drinking and dancing.

[FreedomNotSafety]

Most states are employment “at will” states. Which means you can be fired for any reason or no reason at all so long as it is not an illegal reason. Despite the hysteria over protected classes it is still easy to fire someone especially if they white, male, under 40, Christian, and not disabled.

So I can fire you for alcohol comsumption or for drinking coffee.

Employers are free to restrict many things that are legal and can do many things that people consider “unconstitutional”. If you do not like it you are of course free to quit.

[eyedigress]

It’s a little different than that.

“Why don’t Baptist have sex standing up?

They are afraid of being accused of dancing.”

[Fledermaus]

I have. And I’ve warned all the pro-legal pot folks that once it becomes legal it will soon become evil like tobacco to the left and thus heavily taxed and regulated.

But they are usually too stoned to comprehend that.

[steelhead_trout]

“Most states are employment “at will” states.”

---

And that totally sucks. Gives the employer all the cards and the employee an empty hand. So far, only Montana, AFAIK, has had the good sense to go to a “just cause” system, which, by the way, is prevalent throughout most of the advanced world, notably Western Europe. If we don’t like unions, then what else can the working stiff do to protect his own interest—and don’t you dare say find another job, not in this economy~

[Red Badger]

Gee, I thought it was the AFL-CIO................

[umgud]

Any employee covered by the DOT (fed dept of transportation), drivers, ship captains, train engineers, misc. transportation workers are subject to drug testing.

Many gov’t agencies and many high profile employers have drug testing programs.

Most (not all) decent jobs have drug testing requirements.

[andyk]

I personally don’t believe it’s anyone’s business what I do in my off hours as long as I’m not infringing upon anyone’s natural rights.

I also believe any private entity has the right to make their own rules of employment.

[mmichaels1970]

So far, only Montana, AFAIK, has had the good sense to go to a “just cause” system, which, by the way, is prevalent throughout most of the advanced world, notably Western Europe.

Is the Western European model really something to aspire to?

If we don’t like unions, then what else can the working stiff do to protect his own interest

He should make the company a better and more profitable place because he is there.

and don’t you dare say find another job, not in this economy~

Ok. Then start his own business with a goal of burying his former employer.

The owner of my company was building his business from the back of a concrete paver 30 years ago. It is HIS right to do what he thinks is best for his company.

And if there weren't so many stupid regulations telling him what he has to and can't do, maybe it would be easier to find another job. We certainly don't need MORE government intervention into how a business owner is supposed to operate.

[Mike Darancette]

Nose under the tent.

[ozaukeemom]

In Wisconsin, we are an at-will state. If you are let go without cause, you will probably be able to collect UI. That will drive up their rates. The employer may be able to let you go, but if there is no pattern of misbehavior then the company will lose. I know it is not perfect, but it does discourage some terminations. My friend was able to collect because there was no record of any issues with her.

[FreedomNotSafety]

Find another job. If you want “just cause” then negotiate it when you interview for the job. I assume you will not quit unless it is for a just cause?

Great role model you picked, the worker’s paradise of Western Europe? Perhaps you would like it there better than here. So your interest, as a working stiff, as opposed to all the working not stiffs or is the non working stiffs, needs protecting? I am sure there is a party for stiffs that could use your vote.

[FreedomNotSafety]

We’ll said, damn we’ll said!

[REPANDPROUDOFIT]

You say you grew up in northern IL. Do you still live there? If so, please tell us - is the stink of marijuana wafting from CO to you? CO used to be know for its fresh air - now they have the “aroma” of incense!

[steelhead_trout]

“Great role model you picked, the worker’s paradise of Western Europe?”

---

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.