I work at a gas station/convienence store, and we just got this new policy today saying the employees are not allowed to buy lottery tickets when we are off the clock. It is undertandable that we are not allowed to purchase scratch tickets, lotto, and the pull tabs while we are working but now we are not even able to purchase them when we are not working. Can they tell us what to do when we are not 'on the clock'? I was just wondering.
2007-02-20 13:49:18 · 20 answers · asked by mertzball71 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Why didn't you ask their reasoning behind that? Are you allowed to buy a loaf of bread or fill your tank?
2007-02-20 13:52:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not uncommon for businesses to have policies that affect employees that are "off the clock."
For example, the company I work for has a policy that employees can't work at another job after hours without disclosing it to the company. Also, it's common for School Districts to have policies about their teachers frequenting taverns or other such venues after hours. Random drug testing is another example. If a person tests positive for marijuana, it might be because they smoked a joint during their vacation. Even though they were "on their own time" they will still get fired.
You might think the marijuana example is not applicable because it's an illegal activity. However, depending on your State's gaming commission guidelines, it might be equally illegal for your employer to sell lottery tickets to anyone in their employ. You could always ask; there's probably a very good reason for the new policy.
In some of these cases, if someone took their company to the State Supreme Court they might get a ruling in their favor. However, it will probably be easier to just get your lottery tickets somewhere else.
2007-02-20 22:01:57 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It may be because of the conflict of interest that would be seen if an employee of your gas station won a big lottery with a ticket purchased there. I don't know if there is a law to back up your employers policy, but I'm sure that you can purchase tickets elsewhere.
2007-02-20 21:53:28 · answer #3 · answered by Awesome Bill 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It's the same as other stores/policies. When I worked at Best Buy, for example, if we wanted to get a car stereo or speakers installed, we were automatically bumped to the end of the line all day long. They figured that since we only had to pay for 5% above cost on merch (mega savings in the car stereo dept.) and we only paid $15 for any installation charge, we were less important than "real" customers. It didn't matter that we weren't on the clock, we were automatically made last priority. Sometimes coworkers were bumped back six or more hours.
2007-02-20 21:53:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
An employer can make any rules it wants with regard to employees as long as it doesn't involve ethnic discrimination. There may also be rules with your state's lottery commission regarding sales of tickets to employees - too much chance for theft and fraud.
Just go down to the next gas station or 7-11 to buy your tickets if you have to have them.
2007-02-20 21:53:12 · answer #5 · answered by Mama Gretch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they can deny service to anyone, even employees.
Are you sure that this isn't a requirement of the state lottery board? If it is not, you can still but tickets at another store, so what's the problem?
2007-02-20 22:11:17 · answer #6 · answered by J.R. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can see your point, but it would look bad if an employee bought a big ticket at the store. There might be the suggestion of something improper, and the store doesn't want the hassle.
2007-02-20 21:55:34 · answer #7 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I asked a co worker of mine this question and they said it's a state law that someone who works in an establishment that sells lotto tickets can not buy them from their place of employment.
2007-02-20 21:55:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lottery tickets are a tax on the poor if you want to buy them go to another store.
2007-02-20 21:55:10 · answer #9 · answered by Sgt 524 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I guess that reason they don't let you buy there is to avoid interest conflicts, such as contests and/or sweepstakes, normally these sweepstakes don't allow any family members or friends to participate so that there is no interest behind or unfairness. So I also suggest you stick to the fair rules and go somewhere else.
Good luck.
2007-02-20 21:56:19 · answer #10 · answered by Nelly B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That doesn't make any sense. Of course not your fault, it's theirs.
Perhaps the employees at your job are purchasing too many, and customers are complaining... or somehow they are accusing you of preferential treatment or somehow else 'cheating' with the tickets.
Keep the job, buy your tickets elsewhere.
2007-02-20 21:54:10 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋