Press Release |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Glenn S Anderson |
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2007-04-24 |
(517) 373-1707 |
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Senate Dems Fight for Worker Rights, PrivacyLegislation will prevent unfair termination, bring fairness to workplace decisions |
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| LANSING-Worker protection will take a step forward under legislation introduced today by Senate Democrats. Senate Democrats unveiled Workers First, a package of bills that will ensure workers are protected from unfair treatment by an employer as a result of that employee’s off-duty conduct or beliefs. “In today’s challenging job market, workers need to know that if they play by the rules and do their job well, they can count on fair treatment from their employers,” said Sen. Glenn S. Anderson (D-Westland), a lead sponsor of the package. “If you have a sick child at home, you have enough to worry about without also fearing you’ll lose your job.” Workers First would make it illegal for an employer to hire, fire, discipline, promote, or take other employment action against an employee for his or her actions when they are not at work. The bills do provide protections for employers in instances where employee conduct is central to the mission of the employer. Specifically, Workers First includes the following provisions: • Bans all employment decisions based upon off-duty conduct • Bans decisions based upon health of family members • Bans employment decisions based upon credit history and, in most cases, bans employer inquiries • Bans decisions based upon smoking, drinking, or eating habits • Bans decisions based upon family status of worker • Bans decisions based upon off-duty political activities • Bans decisions based upon an employee’s membership in a lawful organization • Bans decisions based upon physical characteristics, level of fitness, or body type • Bans decisions based upon firearm ownership “Your credit score doesn’t affect your ability to wash windows,” said Senate Democratic Leader Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek). “Workers deserve to know that a round of lay-offs won’t be an excuse for probes into their personal lives.” A high-profile incident in Lansing not long ago highlights the need for such legislation. WEYCO, a Lansing-based employee benefits company, fired four workers last year because they smoked on their own time and either refused or were unable to quit smoking while not on the job. This problem is not just limited to Michigan. Lynne Gobelle of Moulton, Alabama, was fired by her pro-Bush boss at Enviromate, a housing insulation company, for displaying a John Kerry bumper sticker. In Greeley, Colorado, Ross Hopkins, who worked for a Budweiser distributor, was fired for drinking a Coors beer at a bar after work. ##### |
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