simple proof that it always pays to READ the employee handbook before opening your mouth...
Posted on 06/17/2006 5:17:58 PM PDT by narses
AP) The owners of a roller skating rink have fired an 18-year-old woman they called one of their "Top 10" employees because she moved in with her boyfriend, violating a company ethics policy that prohibits "live-in relationships of an intimate nature."
"I loved my job and I didn't want to leave," Crystal Plotner told the Coeur d'Alene Press this week.
She said she was fired after casually telling her bosses, Skate Plaza owners Marvin and Pat Miller, that she planned to move in with her boyfriend in mid-May.
Before terminating her, Plotner said the Millers said she and her boyfriend should "check out their church." She declined.
"Even if I had gone to their church, I don't think it would have saved my job," said Plotner, who worked at Skate Plaza for three years and made $9.25 an hour. "They didn't want me to live with my boyfriend. They were pushing their religion on me and I was offended. I don't have the same religious beliefs as they do."
Pat Miller praised Plotner, saying that "In all the years that we've employed people, she was one of the Top 10. It was a sad day when she left because everybody loved her."
But Miller added, "We've had our (employee) handbook out for many years and it does say if you live in an immoral way with a member of the opposite sex or same sex, you will be terminated."
Miller said that in talking with Plotner, they were approaching the issue as employers, friends and Christians.
"Our advice is not to do this," Miller added. "It's fine and certainly her business that she did, but either we throw the handbook out or follow what's in it."
Pat Miller said they attempt to set a good example in the community because their business draws young people.
"If we owned a roofing company, it wouldn't have mattered," Pat Miller said. "We screen our music carefully. We have a 4-inch rule. We don't allow petting, necking or bad language. You have to decide, what kind of establishment do you want to be? We want parents to feel comfortable bringing their kids here."
She said it is the first time they have fired someone for living with a boyfriend or girlfriend, though they have rejected some applicants for that reason.
"When we first put it in we checked with our attorney, and he said we could do it as long as it's consistent."
Skate Plaza's moral and ethics policy also bans such behaviors as "public displays of promiscuous activities, homosexuality, intoxication, use of profanity, lewd behavior, use of illegal drugs, child abuse, spouse abuse, unlawful relationships, cross-dressing, stalking and nudity."
Leslie Goodard, director of Idaho's Human Rights Commission, said the policies don't appear to violate Idaho employment law.
"There is no statute that directly prohibits discrimination based on marital status, and sexual orientation is not protected," said Goodard.
But Jack Van Valkenburgh, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Boise, said Skate Plaza might be violating federal discrimination laws.
"It sounds to me as though they're pushing their religious view of what a proper living situation should be," he said.
For her part, Plotner said she's through with Skate Plaza.
"They're already judging me for how I live my life and it wouldn't be the same," she said.
Could you imagine the deafening shrieking we'd hear if she was fired for moving in with her lesbian "girlfriend"?
The left would go absolutely bonkers and run with this story all the way around the block until they blamed it all on Bush!!
"Even if you show up everyday and do your job as asked?"
Yes... I think an employer should be able to terminate somebody without giving a reason. And that's the way it is in Idaho. If the voters want to change the law, they can.
She rocked when she should have rolled.
Well, I'll be sure to never live in Idaho then. I kinda like my freedom outside of work.
Was like that in Texas, last time I was there. My two favorite states, Texas and Idaho...
Texas is also an "at will" state. An employer can fire an employee for no reason at all and is protected by law.
simple proof that it always pays to READ the employee handbook before opening your mouth...
They use high top skates - if you are not at least 4" tall you are unable to see where you are going. It's stricly a safety issue.
Really? How do you figure?
You want to be 'saved' from Catholics? Why?
The government allows you to fire someone who's sleeping with the opposite sex, but it doesn't allow you to fire someone who's sleeping with the same sex.
They've got company: Dems and libertarians. Two rancid peas in a pod. Common ground: Sex = yes, Morals = no!
Have you ever taken a job without first knowing the potential employer's policies regarding conduct? I haven't. Not once, not ever, and I have been working since I was 15.
She knew the rules and chose to disobey. Oh well.
Like Bill Clinton?
Yes, as a matter of fact I have no problem with it. Why? Because the company is a private organization. It's called freedom of association. I realize 'conservatives' could care less for such outdated policies, but an employer has a right to hire who they choose and a right to fire who they choose. Just as an employee has those same rights.
Of course as a good 'conservative' I take it you're arguing a private company should be required to hire or maintain a relationship with an employee if they choose not to? What happened to private property? What happened to freedom of choice?
Now do I agree with the firing? Not sure as I don't know the whole story. However the company has that right.
I never gave - or was asked for - an employee handbook before hiring someone. It was always their first day of work they got it.
Exactly. I think this is a ridiculous policy, but I also think employers should have full authority in what kind of people they wish to hire. On a personal level, I would not want my 18-year-old daughter living with a man. On a professional level, I don't think its any ones business what type of life you choose to live as long as it doesen't affect your ability to complete your job.
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