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Woman Fired for Having a Kerry/Edwards Sticker on Car

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Be interesting to see what really comes of this. Chances are there is more to the story but we wont ever hear about it.

 
Originally posted by: Sketcher
An "At Will" employment state is a unique beast. It's not a democrat or republican issue of "free speech" infringement. A job is not a guarrantee, nor is it specially protected by your ability to show up. There's certainly more to the story than headlines encompass, but it does sound like she was treated inconsiderately even if the employer was within legal right to terminate her. I say "inconsiderately" because saying she was treated "unfairly" implies a legal precedence; which in this case may be irrelevant.

What strikes me as ironic, is that a lot of people cry about free speech but don't want to be responsible for that speech. In light of her employer's noted interests, she certainly shouldn't have been surprised that he'd take a disliking to her bumper sticker. As unfortunate as the situation is for her, she made a choice that carried undesirable consequences. She thought it was important enough to leave the sticker on her car and she say's she doesn't regret her decision.

I feel for her. I do think she was treated unkindly. But all the facts aren't on the table, and if she felt that her right to free speech was the cost of keeping her bumper sticker than so be it. More power to her and the Dems should take the opportunity to show themselves for the caring and thoughtful party they are and pick up her tab, in the least offer her a job. Then, not just broadcast on national news that they gave her a job but follow up for three consecutive years to see how she does and show the world how it's all good. It's easy to show the handshake, not so easy to show the relationship that follows.

BTW, she argued that her employer can't tell her who to vote for. Her employer insisted that she take the bumper sticker off the car. Though related, they are separate issues. Or do we need a Trial Lawyer to define that for us?

Cliffs:
It's an "At Will" employment state.
Her employer was an asshole.
She had to choose between a sticker and her job.
Her sticker was more important than her job.
Chalk another one up for a Woman's Right to Choose.

Well, the memo he sent out prior to this incident did put undue pressure and bias towards Bush. Then when the bumper sticker thing came up, it was the right and logical conclusion that he was trying to pressure her into either "being on the team" or she's fired. She didn't think that her sticker was more important than her job, just her own self-respect. That's a priceless commodity.
 
Originally posted by: ntdz
good for him.


Yeah, the labor movement needs more issues like this to show to the blue collar workers. Most of them don't realize how "owned" they really are. This should wake up quite a few of them!! 😀

Who wants to work someplace where thwey tell you what to thinK?? Would you take that kind of treatment? The car is her personal property and if she wants a Kerry sticker on it, she has every right to have it without fear of losing her job.
 
Originally posted by: ntdz
jesus, you guys take things so seriously. I was just joking, and you guys are saying i should be put in Gitmo, look at yourselves. Get a life, christ.

You are the joke, and not even a funny joke, just a sad joke. Grow up sonny.
 
Originally posted by: phantom309
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
I smell a big fat settlement coming, coupled with union strike.

- M4H
I believe Alabama is a "Right to Work" state - no unions. As detestable as this is, it's probably within the employer's rights. This is why I don't put political stickers on my car - I do have one on my Porsche that says "Sig Sauer", though.

Right to work states can and do have unions. I'd be willing to bet that plant does not have a union, but it might soon. 🙂

 
Originally posted by: cobalt
Originally posted by: ntdz
jesus, you guys take things so seriously. I was just joking, and you guys are saying i should be put in Gitmo, look at yourselves. Get a life, christ.

This comes from someone who has over a 150 posts in a matter of days?

That is funny, because you average 6.19 posts per day. ntdz has been here 39 days, 168 posts = 4.31 posts per day.

You post more than he does, yet you are ripping on him for posting a lot.
 
Originally posted by: Luck JF
If her car was in the man's parking lot then he does have a say over what banners are going to be on it. If you went to work with a bumper sticker on your car that said "My Boss is a big lovely human", I think you might be put into the same situation as this lady. he didn't tell her who to vote for, he told her to remove the sticker from her car. If you own a business you can fire anybody for any reason or for no reason. That's how it is in my state and how it should be.


Irregardless of how you rationalize it, it is a direct violation of her freedom of speech. You don't lose your job over a political bumpersticker in a "democracy". She has the right to her opinion. You fire someone over attendance, preformance, etc. Just like what SHOULD have happedned to GWB when he was in the ANG.
 
Originally posted by: heartsurgeon
"I took off my gloves and threw them in the garbage and left," Gobbell said.
HA! destruction of company property....


You are such an idiot. Isn't asking her to take off the bumper sticker destruction of private property? I guess that's differnt because she is an employee. It doesn't matter that she works 50 to 60 hours per week and does her job. Tell me why any blue collar worker shouldn't be for a union?? Tell me that you trolling jerk-off?
 
Originally posted by: heartsurgeon
You can be terminated for any reason whatsoever in Alabama (employee at will) unless you have an employment contract or the termination is for race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, or retaliatory discharge (workers comp).

She's outta their!!!

no lawsuit..

nada.

Obvioulsy you know nothing about employment law. Harrassment is protected through state and federal law. Just because he threaten to fire her is considered harrassment. You can not violate someone's constitutional rights with the threats of intimidation. He will pay either through federal law or state law.
 
Originally posted by: Sketcher
An "At Will" employment state is a unique beast. It's not a democrat or republican issue of "free speech" infringement. A job is not a guarrantee, nor is it specially protected by your ability to show up. There's certainly more to the story than headlines encompass, but it does sound like she was treated inconsiderately even if the employer was within legal right to terminate her. I say "inconsiderately" because saying she was treated "unfairly" implies a legal precedence; which in this case may be irrelevant.

What strikes me as ironic, is that a lot of people cry about free speech but don't want to be responsible for that speech. In light of her employer's noted interests, she certainly shouldn't have been surprised that he'd take a disliking to her bumper sticker. As unfortunate as the situation is for her, she made a choice that carried undesirable consequences. She thought it was important enough to leave the sticker on her car and she say's she doesn't regret her decision.

I feel for her. I do think she was treated unkindly. But all the facts aren't on the table, and if she felt that her right to free speech was the cost of keeping her bumper sticker than so be it. More power to her and the Dems should take the opportunity to show themselves for the caring and thoughtful party they are and pick up her tab, in the least offer her a job. Then, not just broadcast on national news that they gave her a job but follow up for three consecutive years to see how she does and show the world how it's all good. It's easy to show the handshake, not so easy to show the relationship that follows.

BTW, she argued that her employer can't tell her who to vote for. Her employer insisted that she take the bumper sticker off the car. Though related, they are separate issues. Or do we need a Trial Lawyer to define that for us?

Cliffs:
It's an "At Will" employment state.
Her employer was an asshole.
She had to choose between a sticker and her job.
Her sticker was more important than her job.
Chalk another one up for a Woman's Right to Choose.

The "right to work" law was supposed to be an anti-union law enabling employers to hire other workers in the case that a union went on strike. It wasn't designed to turn employees into slaves. That is not the purpose of the law, but it is being abused and everyone who lives in a "right to work" state knows it and is tired of it. The employers are shitting in their own nest and it will catch up to them soon.
 
This has nothing to do with at will employment. This would even trend upon possible charges of voter intimidation, which is protected under federal and state law as well. He can object to offensive bumper stickers, but he has no defense against a political bumper sticker as long as its not using offensive language. He'll pay for embarrassment and a couple years worth of salary or even more.
 
Originally posted by: classy
This has nothing to do with at will employment. This would even trend upon possible charges of voter intimidation, which is protected under federal and state law as well. He can object to offensive bumper stickers, but he has no defense against a political bumper sticker as long as its not using offensive language. He'll pay for embarrassment and a couple years worth of salary or even more.


Not to mention what he did to the moral of the shop workers. They will remember this for a long time, as will I and everyone who hears of it.
 
Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
Originally posted by: Genx87
Be interesting to see what really comes of this. Chances are there is more to the story but we wont ever hear about it.

Great defense, speculation!! LOL

Go ahead and enjoy your two dimensional world... This might be accurate but without knowing the other side of the story, we can't even speculate on the third side (What really happened).
 
Originally posted by: classy
This has nothing to do with at will employment. This would even trend upon possible charges of voter intimidation, which is protected under federal and state law as well. He can object to offensive bumper stickers, but he has no defense against a political bumper sticker as long as its not using offensive language. He'll pay for embarrassment and a couple years worth of salary or even more.

Well put! :beer:
 
Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
Originally posted by: Genx87
Be interesting to see what really comes of this. Chances are there is more to the story but we wont ever hear about it.

Great defense, speculation!! LOL

Go ahead and enjoy your two dimensional world... This might be accurate but without knowing the other side of the story, we can't even speculate on the third side (What really happened).

If he can, then so can I.
 
Originally posted by: Darkhawk28
Originally posted by: heartsurgeon
You can be terminated for any reason whatsoever in Alabama (employee at will) unless you have an employment contract or the termination is for race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, or retaliatory discharge (workers comp).

She's outta their!!!

no lawsuit..

nada.

If a Kerry-supporting boss fire a Bushite for a bumper sticker, you'd be crying in your alleged patient's open-chest wound.

Ain't that the truth.
 
Originally posted by: heartsurgeon
You can be terminated for any reason whatsoever in Alabama (employee at will) unless you have an employment contract or the termination is for race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, or retaliatory discharge (workers comp).

She's outta their!!!

no lawsuit..

nada.


LMAO. Pwned.
 
Originally posted by: classy
Originally posted by: heartsurgeon
You can be terminated for any reason whatsoever in Alabama (employee at will) unless you have an employment contract or the termination is for race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, or retaliatory discharge (workers comp).

She's outta their!!!

no lawsuit..

nada.

Obvioulsy you know nothing about employment law. Harrassment is protected through state and federal law. Just because he threaten to fire her is considered harrassment. You can not violate someone's constitutional rights with the threats of intimidation. He will pay either through federal law or state law.

He sure was!!
 
Originally posted by: classy
Originally posted by: heartsurgeon
You can be terminated for any reason whatsoever in Alabama (employee at will) unless you have an employment contract or the termination is for race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, or retaliatory discharge (workers comp).

She's outta their!!!

no lawsuit..

nada.

Obvioulsy you know nothing about employment law. Harrassment is protected through state and federal law.

Good to know, classy, good to know.
 
Originally posted by: ntdz
jesus, you guys take things so seriously. I was just joking, and you guys are saying i should be put in Gitmo, look at yourselves. Get a life, christ.

Try to be a little more carefull and don't let your mouth write checks your body can't cash.
 
Originally posted by: ntdz
jesus, you guys take things so seriously. I was just joking, and you guys are saying i should be put in Gitmo, look at yourselves. Get a life, christ.
Hey, we were just joking, too, you worthless little waste of space -- Hey, just joking! -- see how it works, troll?

 
Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
Originally posted by: Sketcher
Edit: content same as my 1st post in this thread regarding "At Will" employment.
The "right to work" law was supposed to be an anti-union law enabling employers to hire other workers in the case that a union went on strike. It wasn't designed to turn employees into slaves. That is not the purpose of the law, but it is being abused and everyone who lives in a "right to work" state knows it and is tired of it. The employers are shitting in their own nest and it will catch up to them soon.
Thanks for the history lesson duzit but I did say "At Will", not "Right to work". There's just a small difference between the two. http://www.smartagreements.com/bltopics/Bltopi57.html

Originally posted by: Darkhawk28
Originally posted by: Sketcher
Edit: content same as my 1st post in this thread regarding "At Will" employment.
Well, the memo he sent out prior to this incident did put undue pressure and bias towards Bush. Then when the bumper sticker thing came up, it was the right and logical conclusion that he was trying to pressure her into either "being on the team" or she's fired. She didn't think that her sticker was more important than her job, just her own self-respect. That's a priceless commodity.
Your post doesn't shed any different light on the aspect of "At Will" employment and her situation. Nor does it challenge the meaning or context of anything I wrote in that post.

It sounds like you guys are trying to argue this but there's nothing there. Are you in knee-jerk mode and just hitting reply before thinking it through?




 
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