By George Anderson
As a report in USA Today makes clear, what employees do on their own time is very much their bosses' business.
Lewis Maltby of The National Workrights Institute said, "The shock is that there's no legal protection. You can get fired just for having a bumper sticker the boss doesn't like."
In one case, it is alleged, that is exactly what happened.
Lynne Gobbell, who worked packing insulation for a company in Moulton, Ala. was reportedly fired by her employer (evidently a supporter of the Bush-Cheney ticket) for displaying a John Kerry bumper sticker on her car.
In another case, an employee of a beer distributor claims he was fired for drinking a competitive product while off the job. His former employer disputes the claim, saying he was terminated for making negative comments about the company while drinking and wearing a company uniform in a bar. This case, reports USA Today, is expected to go trial for resolution.
Moderator's Comment: Where is the line between the worker and employees rights when it comes to behavior off the job? - George Anderson - Moderator