Would I have the right?

Question

If I own a company, would you agree that I have the right to tell my employees what they cannot do while they are off the clock and in the privacy of their own homes? And, if they did not comply with the policies that I set up to dictate these policies I can fire them?

Some of you have got to where I was going with this question. I saw Alaska Airlines mentioned, also in Columbus Ohio Scotts made a policy that if you worked there and if you still smoked by last February you were fired. They claimed insurance cost's.

While many people (anti-smokers) supported this action they failed to see that once a company is allowed to get away with this there will be no stopping what they can dictate as policy...weight, hair color, drinking, what brand of shoes you wear...etc.

For those that see these policies for what they are, good job. For those that don't, please open your eyes. It's not a Republican/Democrat issue, it's a freedom issue.

Answer 1

You could dictate only those things that directly negatively affected your business.

They could not discuss company business, for example.

Current companies that do so, such as Alaska Airlines (smokers are not allowed to work there) are in violation of the law.

Answer 2

It may feel like a freedom issue to you, but it is a bottom-line issue for the employer due to the rising costs of health insurance. Employers can set whatever policies they want, as long as they are not discriminatory (apply equally to all employees), and you are "free" to accept them or reject them by leaving the job. At-will employees can always be fired without cause, or they can leave with cause. If the policies are overly invasive or unreasonable, employees will abandon the company like a sinking ship. So it would be neither profitable nor practical for an employer to go too far in that direction. Your question is not really about "rights" but about what makes business sense.

Answer 3

Most workers are "at will" employees. An "at will" employee may be terminated at any time, with or without cause. Likewise, the employee may leave the company at any time, with or without a reason.

Generally, an employer has little control over what an employee can do with his or her personal time. Exceptions might include drug or alcohol abuse, especially if the company has a drug abuse policy; any behavior which might embarrass the company; or conflicts of interest.

Answer 4

Under the Bush cabal employers have the right to dictate what you can do at your home. Employees have been fired for smoking in their own home and not at work. We have a national sweatshop mentality in this country and it's only getting worse.

Answer 5

Yes

Answer 6

You do have the right. It's called "employment at will." Under employment at will, as long as there is not a contract you can terminate the employment at any time.

While the employees may object to this standard, they have every right not to work there.

Answer 7

Does this affect their work habits in any way? If they come in drunk then technically telling them what to do on their off time since they didn't do it on the job. If they are model citizens at work and druggies off then no I don't think you should.

Answer 8

only if the employees agree to be monitored at home...

You can hire/fire anyone for anything...at least you should be able to, i don't know the exact laws.

If they get REAL specific about who they hire, they'll lose money and go out of business...the end.

Answer 9

You have the right to fire them, period. Whatever reason you choose.

Answer 10

Only if you're paying all their income tax and giving them a lot of benefits.