The reason i am asking this question is the callcenter I am working in says that they have reason to believe that people are under influence whilst working and if that is suspected they will be tested and dismissed. Where I can understand that if someone is at work they should not be under the influence of drugs my question is if you are taking drugs in your own time outwith work can they sack you for that?
2007-11-22 10:57:44 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Drugs:
aspirin - no, they will not fire you for taking aspirin on your own time.
cocaine - yes, they will fire you for taking cocaine on your own time.
Do you see the difference?
Also - some companies make you pass a drug test just to get hired. If you fail the drug test, you don't get the job. Why would they go through the expense and the trouble of having you tinkle in a cup to hire you if it did not matter b/c you ingested the substance on your own time?
PS: You can also be fired if you: rob, steal, murder, rape or any number of other illegal activities on your own time.
2007-11-22 11:45:50 · answer #1 · answered by Boots 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is none of the employer's concern what you do on your own time, but the employer has the right to expect employees not be stoned or drunk on tghe job.
I doubt if an employer could sack you for off-duty activities. Having said that, suppose they do? Unless there is a union, the best outcome you can hope for from a wrongful dismissal lawsuit is a legal bill and a severance package.
It could just be that the employer is uninformed about residual drug evidence in the body. It's not like alcohol, where the substance is detectable only while the person is under the influence.
On the other hand, I can see the employer's point. People who use drugs aren't usually as good employees as people who don't. Sorry, but it's true.
2007-11-22 11:17:16 · answer #2 · answered by Pagan Dan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
The intoxication created by the drug does not automatically dissopate when you clock in. The fact is that what you do in your recreational time can impact company time.
Put it this way. I am a doctor. I start my shift at 10:00 am, it has been a bit of a wild night, and I don't stop drinking until 5 am. I show up to work with a bit of a shine on. Is the hospital within their rights to terminate me if I am drunk at work, even though I was not drinking at work?
2007-11-22 11:18:17 · answer #3 · answered by smedrik 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If residual effects can be seen at work, or your activity brings your employer into disrepute-why not? I don't want my banking etc. done via some off-his-face looney-do you? Grow up, and be responsible!
2007-11-22 11:14:08 · answer #4 · answered by friedach 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they can. If you commit a crime your employer can fire you, even if you were on your own time when you did it.
Richard
2007-11-22 11:09:14 · answer #5 · answered by rickinnocal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋