Telling an employee what to wear while on the job is like comparing apples and oranges in this case. IBM certainly did not tell employees what kind of underwear to wear each night after they got home from work and showered.
This is an issue of an employees paid time versus an employees time off the clock (with the exception of the military).
A no hire policy instituted for new employees who smoke is perfectly legitimate, but forcing long time employees to change their complete lifestyle is over and above a on the job request.
In time, this will become widely accepted, and far more treasured rights and freedoms will be imposed upon.
And I never claimed they did. I commented on what they DID, not what they didn't do. BTW, it was a comment on IBM, not the philosophy of the question.
This is an issue of an employees paid time versus an employees time off the clock (with the exception of the military).
No it isn't. It's an issue of voluntary agreements between consenting adults.
A no hire policy instituted for new employees who smoke is perfectly legitimate, but forcing long time employees to change their complete lifestyle is over and above a on the job request.
I don't think it's over and above anything. Life is "unfair". Absent force or a legal contract, each side can do what they want. You don't like the employee or his lifestyle, fire him. You don't like the new rules, quit.
In time, this will become widely accepted, and far more treasured rights and freedoms will be imposed upon.
Which rights and freedoms?