[leucetios]

I'd like to hear your take. There was an interesting article I read last week about Microsoft employees using iPods, and apparantly MS is pretty fed up with it.

Very few people in this world work for companies because they believe in the product and want to dedicate their life to it. Most of us work where we work because it is a job - which isn't to say we don't like our work, but it is just that work.

While you shouldn't tout your competitors products to a customer while you're on the clock once you punch out, and no longer officially represent the company you are now just like any other customer.

I use our competitors product from time to time, because sometimes it is cheaper. If my company, or any company, wants to ensure that employees show brand loyalty by exclusively using their product then they should offer incentives (discounts for the product, etc).

Firing someone for using a competitors product is wrong - except in a few scenarios (for example, taking potential a client out and buying them the competitors product is just dumb).

[snarg]

some would argue that it is an employers right to fire an employee
jus sayin'

[leucetios]

some would argur that it is an employers right to fire an employee
jus sayin'

You could argue that. However, you need cause to fire someone. What they do on their personal time (smoke, or use the competitions product) is hardly cause.

[snarg]

You could argue that. However, you need cause to fire someone. What they do on their personal time (smoke, or use the competitions product) is hardly cause.

some would argue that the only cause you need is that you don't wish to employ that particular person

[leucetios]

some would argue that the only cause you need is that you don't wish to employ that particular person

True. Except, for a couple of things:

1. if you don't have cause why wouldn't you want to employ someone who is doing a fine job? This is likely going to cost you money (hiring someone new, training, etc).

2. I don't think you get unemployment if you're fired. Hence, the firing of someone without cause, and on a whim, could cause more harm to the employee.

[SizeMatters]

the job belongs to the employer, not the employee. I shoud be able to fire someone because its Tuesday if I want.

I just have to be willing to accept the consequences, i.e. cost of hiring/training a new employee, loss of reputation etc.

[Bill]

It must be the stupid comments from haters that hinder my pussy stealing ability. I will try to not be so distracted in the future.

it's not the haters.
you just get a case of stage fright when in the pressance of a hot chick. When you've endured 2 weddings, 1 divorce, lossing 80% of your shit not to mention raising kids, then you can rag on Bill's girl getting ablity. Bill has earned his battle scares in the war with the fairer sex. your still in boot camp. datings a breeze compaired to actually being married.

[snarg]

True. Except, for a couple of things:

1. if you don't have cause why wouldn't you want to employ someone who is doing a fine job? This is likely going to cost you money (hiring someone new, training, etc).

2. I don't think you get unemployment if you're fired. Hence, the firing of someone without cause, and on a whim, could cause more harm to the employee.

no, you don't get unemployment when you quit
when you are fired you qualify

[leucetios]

the job belongs to the employer, not the employee. I shoud be able to fire someone because its Tuesday if I want.

I just have to be willing to accept the consequences, i.e. cost of hiring/training a new employee, loss of reputation etc.

Let's clarify a little. As an employer you are free to fire someone because it is Tuesday, and chances are the guy fired for drinking Bud Light won't be able to do anything about it, though I am sure he will try.

Here's an excerpt on wrongful termination:

However unfair, for it to be the illegal act of wrongful termination, an employer must violate a specific state or Federal statute, regulation or constitutional provision. Unfortunately, there's no such thing that generally protects employees from "crummy deals" per se.

To further understand what legally constitutes wrongful termination, it's important to also note that most states consider employment to be "at will" in legal jargon. In plain English, the Employment at Will Doctrine means that, in the absence of contracts stating otherwise, employment is presumed to be voluntary and indefinite for both employees and employers. As an at-will employee, you may quit your job whenever you want, usually without consequence. On the flip side, at-will employers may terminate you whenever they want, usually without consequence.

[snarg]

the job belongs to the employer, not the employee. I shoud be able to fire someone because its Tuesday if I want.

I just have to be willing to accept the consequences, i.e. cost of hiring/training a new employee, loss of reputation etc.

while this might make sense, the law says otherwise
once the politicos get involved all hell breaks loose

[SizeMatters]

notice I said 'should'

[snarg]

notice I said 'should'

i agree in the private sector
civil service jobs are a different matter
and they are treated in a different manner
as well they should be, but the meddling government is involved in a lot of places they should just leave alone

IMHO

[NinjaBassist]

At the beer warehouse I used to work at we only sold Miller and Coors. If you were caught drinkin anything else while in uniform you would be fired.

[leucetios]

I'd like to hear your take. There was an interesting article I read last week about Microsoft employees using iPods, and apparantly MS is pretty fed up with it.

for those who are interested:

http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,66460,00.html

[asshat]

People losing their jobs and malcontent for employers are bad things. I appreciate reading many of the thoughtful and insightful posts that were made. This was worth the reading. Keep up the good work!

[snarg]

someone please kill asshat and put him out of his misery
TIA

[Grumpy]

I saw her at the Mardi Crawl. No shit.

Go ride the short bus.