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.
I love ouble entendre.
What exactly makes him a "jackass"?
OH GOOD!!!!!
Yup, that's called "at-will employment" and most Red states follow it, thank heavens. An employer can fire an employee any time for ay reason or no reason (except for a Federally prohibited reason such as race.)
While I think it is pretty ridiculous in this particular circumstance, the alternative is worse. We don't need French-style jobs for life in this country. That way lies stagnation and massive unemployment.
-ccm
" They've got company: Dems and libertarians."
Speak for yourself. Libertarians believe in the freedom to make contracts. Her contract was with the company via the employee handbook. She violated a rule, she goes out.
It's a matter of private property, ie, running your business as you see fit.
Leave libertarians out of it, please.
Guess she didn't judge that a handbook has meaning to all employees. If she didn't like it, she should of left right then. Her judgement must of been broken for some reason...
Now for the meat of my arguement... The "judge not" saying... Truth or wannabe truth by certain people?
"He who is spiritual judges all things" for "we have the mind of Christ" (1Cor. 2:15-16).
The notion that judgment is wrong is a ludicrous one. Should child-molesters escape condemnation? Should rapists be free from criticism? Should society refrain from judging those arrested for murder? Should we call evil good? Or would that be a judgment too?
To abhor evil, someone must first judge evil. God instructs men against "hypocrisy" commanding them to "abhor what is evil" (Rom. 12:9). Thus, unable to judge, and unaccustomed to abhorrence, Christians en masse become hypocrites when they obey the Hypocrites Golden Rule. For "judge not" (Mat. 7:1-5) is simply a hypocrites application of do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Mat. 7:12). "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged" (Mat. 7:2). Judge others as you would have them do unto you inverted is Judge not if you do not want to be judged. Therefore the hypocrite does not judge. As Jesus said, "Judge not… you hypocrite" (Mat. 7:1, 5 KJV; Ezek. 16:52).
Christ kept this theme throughout His ministry. "Hypocrites," Jesus said, "why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?" (Luke 12:56-57).
I love when people's main offense against Christians is the false "Judge Not" saying.
Jesus did say: "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Mat. 7:1)? Jesus gave that teaching to hypocrites (Mat. 7:5) however. For He specifically commands His followers to judge:
"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." John 7:24
"Judge not" is the Hypocrites Golden Rule. For "judge not" (Mat. 7:1-5) is simply a hypocrites application of do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Mat. 7:12). "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged" (Mat. 7:2). Judge others as you would have them do unto you inverted is Judge not if you do not want to be judged. Therefore the hypocrite does not judge. As Jesus said, "Judge not… you hypocrite" (Mat. 7:1, 5 KJV; Ezek. 16:52).
Jesus warned against judging falsely or with hypocrisy. For immediately after saying "judge not," Jesus taught just how to judge correctly:
"And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?... Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye." Mat. 7:3, 5
Christ kept this theme throughout His ministry. "Hypocrites," Jesus said, "why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?"
The Bible does not say, "Hate the sin, love the sinner." It says, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he"
Jesus promised his followers, "you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended" (Mat. 24:9-10). Jesus taught that ‘if they hated Me, they will hate you’" (see John 15:18-19; 17:14; Mat. 10:22; Luke 21:17).
Just as Jesus said you would be. Not that they want you to hate them, but following Jesus is has an occupational hazzard.
I am proud of the skate ring owners and the wonderful atmosphere they provide. You hate them... I have shown why.
It's not a matter of going to the correct church. That's a protected choice. It's a matter of behaving in a way that is clearly prohibited in the employee's handbook. I have no problems with this at all. Let employers hire who they want to hire and fire who they want to fire. Just make those grounds clear from the outset.
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
Complying with company policy was part of her job and her firing was pro forma. When she trumpeted her cohabitation to her employers, she was tendering her own resignation. Now she has what her job couldn't give her -- the spotlight.
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
there is a difference between being devoted to your faith and being a busybody troll.
Would you dare put the scurrility of your taglie as "War on Jews" -- just another professional victim group
(won't bother answering, I know you would)
I sort of put the holocaust and half a century of terrorism in a different league than Harry Potter.
Nevermind, your tagline says it all. Continue your screed...
It's a private company with upfront employment requirements. Now, if she had started smoking, wouldn't she have been fired from many city, state, and private organizations?
Same thing.
This is simply a property rights issue. The owner of the property (the payroll cash) has the right to trade it. He has traded his property for the girls services in the past. He does not wish to trade his property in the future. The government does not own his property and should not force him to trade it away. Those that feel he should be forced to trade, believe his property belongs to the government, and the government can act as the rightful owner, deciding when to trade.
Reminds me of Communism where all property belongs to the state.
Really? Does your view hold true for the armed services, as well? As a Vet, I can assure you that every single servicemember is briefed during boot camp/basic training that they are no longer allowed to do things that could lead to the unfavorable image of the US Government or the military.
You can't (in your words) "live the life they choose to live", because their actions may reflect BADLY on their employer.
What's good for the goose, is good for the gander. The girl knew the rules.
Wow, that firing from a Roller Rink at 18yo is going to stalk her resume till retirement.
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