I am losing my rights at work, why do corporations want sheep?

[Wcross]

They informed me I must submit to random drug tests on demand after 15 years of service. A new "policy" I was told.
They informed me my vehicle is subject to random searches for contraband and firearms. A new "policy" I was told.
They told me I have to attend mandatory training classes every other month on my off days. The classes have nothing to do with my job. A new "policy" I was told.
They told me I have to do a company directed "community service" project on my off day without pay. It is required to get a good review.
If nobody speaks up they will assume everything they are requiring is acceptable. I have been employed by them for 15 years, in the past two months things have been turned on its head. I can feel the stress, I am not sleeping well and am pissed off all the time. They seem to have crossed the employer/employee relationship line. I feel as if I HAVE to either quit or refuse to comply with the new policy's and be fired.

I was hoping to retire with the company, now I don't think I will be there at the end of the year.

[UrbScotty]

1. New management? (nt)

[smtpgirl]

15. Yeah, the new management

that does prescription drugs, or maybe smokes pot on the weekends, or gets coked up.

I don't care about drug testing, there are ways to beat it, detox tea works wonders.

Don't do drugs, but have in the past, and there are definitely natural ways to beat it.

[William Bloode]

2. Good luck deciding what to do.

As for myself thats just waaaaaay over the line. I would refuse to comply, and make them fire me. In my state if fired for any reason you can draw unemployment.

[William Bloode]

3. System hiccup, sorry.

Nt.

[Suich]

4. What kind of job,

if you don't mind my asking?

:hi:

[Wcross]

7. Tire factory.

I am a staff person who adjusts machines and changes them to build different sizes.

[LeftyMom]

5. How are finances looking?

Sounds like they're making excuses to lose a whole lot of payroll quickly.

[Wcross]

8. As far as I know finances are O.K.

They seem to be able to pay overtime to attend classes that are irrelevent.

[Sanity Claws]

6. Workers have almost no rights under the law

This is an issue that really has to be addressed through the political process since the laws as they exist offer no protection to workers. I think you are put in a horrible situation.

[Wcross]

9. Its a Union plant at contract negotiation time.

I suspect they are screwing with us staff people because of it. My real trouble is the airheads I work with, they are either too afraid or too stupid to stand up for their rights. There was an attempt to unionize my job and others at the plant 10 years ago and it was voted down by a wide margin.

[Sanity Claws]

13. Too ignorant

I'm reluctant to paint these people as stupid. Over the past 25 years or so, there has been an unrelenting attack on the working person. Labor history is not taught in schools and people are fed a diet put out by the corporate masters. People also see that jobs are being sent over seas. The result is the scared and ignorant mass of workers we presently see. Please understand that I'm using the word ignorant not to degrade workers but to show how effective the ruling party has become. Things will have to get worse before they get better.

[smtpgirl]

16. The loss of the unions has something to do with the

loss of worker's rights.

One of the Republican issues

[Sanity Claws]

18. I agree

Unions have been under assault for about 25 years. Some companies created policies and handbooks to say we are giving you rights so you don't have to organize and bring in a union. Many workers fell for it and only later do they find out these policies and promises are meaningless and unenforceable.

[China_cat]

10. Sounds like time to organize.

Good place for a union.

[Wcross]

11. It is already unionized.

I am unfortunatly a staff worker. ( I would not be permitted to transfer to a union job with this company) The union is negotiating their contract right now.

[ikojo]

14. Is a staff worker the same as an exempt employee

one who is not eligible to be paid overtime?

[Wcross]

23. No, we are just not part of the union....

I am paid overtime and was paid for the training class. Its just the fact that the class was irrelevant to my job and a waste of my day off. Imagine your employer told you that every other month you had to listen to somebody drone on for four hours about nothing on Sunday morning? They pay you time and a half but you could be at home enjoying yourself.

[China_cat]

25. You are eligible for SEIU or OPEIU membership.

[Wcross]

29. I don't think we are eligible.

I don't know what the requirements are though. The thing is most of my fellow sheep voted down joining the URW (United rubber workers) before they merged with the steel workers. Our plant is a USWA (steel workers) plant, I am just unfortunate enough to be in a staff job.

[China_cat]

37. Office and Professional Employees International Union

is open to all clerical staffers and professionals. We represent a lot of people you wouldn't think would even have union affiliation...nurses, nuns, helicopter pilots, chiropractors, government employees.

Check us out. http://opeiu.org/guilds_locals.html

[ikojo]

12. Non union workplace?

The community service work is all to make them look good. At least where I work we get eight hours a year to do community service. No, I don't have a union where I work.

People wont speak up out of fear of losing their jobs. After 15 years it might be difficult to match salary and vacation benefits. They got ya by the shorties, that is for sure.

I feel for you.

Corporate America sucks.

[smtpgirl]

17. The "new management"

wants to put their mark on the company, they want to "look good",

left a great company in April because of that, oh btw the "new" manager was "promoted" to a PM, but left the Help Desk in a Shambles.

So glad I don't work there anymore, too many ass-kissers & look-gooder's for me

[querelle]

19. What About Constitutional Rights?

Here in Canada, random drug testing is against the law unless you work for a police force or are in the military. Employers who try to enforce such things on their employees are guilty of very grievous human rights violations. Funny thing though, I always thought that constitutional rights were a much bigger deal in America. What gives?

Q

[Lydia Leftcoast]

20. Alas, while the fourth amendment to the Bill of Rights

is supposed to protect people from unreasonable searches and seizure, in practice, all rights are subordinated to the W*A*R O*N D*R*U*G*S.

Pretty sneaky of them, huh?

[Wcross]

21. I thought so too.........

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

(I believe the random drug testing is a violation of this right)

I would be willing to go to bat (be the plaintiff) against my employer on this issue if I could find a sympathetic and talented lawyer. I already figure I can't continue working there if they continue to violate my rights.

[ThomCat]

26. Unfortunately, that only protects you from the Government.

Not employers. They can require almost anything as a condition of employment because it is a voluntary agreement between you and them. If you don't like it you only have the legal right to break that agreement and leave.

There are very few restrictions placed on employers. Far more laws were written to benefit them than to benefit you.
x(

[datasuspect]

31. you would be wasting your money

if, as you say:

"I would be willing to go to bat (be the plaintiff) against my employer on this issue if I could find a sympathetic and talented lawyer."

the company has done NOTHING illegal.

a lawyer who takes this case would be someone to RUN away from.

[datasuspect]

30. the constitution of the united states,

more specifically, the bill of rights, doesn't actually GIVE anyone any speficic rights, it simply ensures that the federal government cannot encroach upon rights we naturally have as (what the framers would say) men.

the majority of the actual constitution gives us the basis for our government.

however, your constitutional "protections" (as enumerated in the bill of rights) end where a private company's door begins.

the idea of being an "employee" would have been strange in 18th century colonial british america.

[Floogeldy]

40. That is a funny joke.

:)

[datasuspect]

44. funny but true

you would have ZERO constitutional rights inside my house. on the street in front, yes.

same with a private employer. you have ZERO right to privacy, ZERO freedom of speech, etc.


look VERY closely at the language. we aren't being given rights, we have natural rights that are protected, the government cannot infringe them.


Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.


Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.


Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.


Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.


Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.


Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.


Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.


Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.


Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

[FILAM23]

49. It does not limit your rights

You have the right to refuse the drug test and lose your job
or you have the right to give a urine sample. I support any
employers right to require random drug tests.

[Mike03]

22. Very sad but not surprising

Corporations take advantage of employees when they have the feeling that employees have no realistic option but to submit to their demands. The economy is caving, and there is a perception that ludicrous "demands" like these are normalcy, in spite of the fact they represent the complete dissolution of the Constitution. We are in real trouble as a society.

[AlienGirl]

27. Wasn't this kind of thing common during the early 20th century?

I seem to remember something about Ford requiring certain "moral standards" of its employees.

Everything old is new again...

Tucker

[sweetheart]

24. get another job, fuck 'em

Never be afraid to walk away from slavery, as every time you make the bold
step the timid heart of humanity grows a millions stronger. There is a better
job for you out there where you will be paid more and treated better.

[datasuspect]

32. what you say may have been true

back in 1997.

it might still be true if you "know somebody" or are a nurse nowadays.

[sweetheart]

34. sweetie, its always true

everybody "knows somebody" somewhere. :-) Bravery makes its own path.

[datasuspect]

35. eh

it takes a lot of bravery to live without an income. i do it every day.

i used to think that way ten years ago.

pushing 40 nowadays, not so much.

[sweetheart]

36. She has a job to leverage

Whilst she HAs the job, she can leverage for a better job. That's a strong bargaining
position and she has months to find a job. It does indeed take a lot of bravery to
get new jobs when people say "you're done in this town." "You'll never do better."

I can't believe that, no, the Lord provides for people who are wrongly injusticed like
this op author, and the opportunity is there for a better situation.

Its a self-worth issue, to have them adding terms to the employment contract
without compensation, like taking a paycut, and i'd rather suffer, things
have always worked out better, and the day they don't i'll be dead, but at least
the entire time i'll ahve been free.

Location location location... so many people suffer for not moving to were
things might work better for them. Some times people stay and surf the same break too long.

[datasuspect]

43. it costs money to move to a different location

if you have no money what then?

hitchhike to a better location and then live out in the streets?

oh, i forgot, you can't get a job without an address, plus there's that daily personal hygiene that goes by the wayside once you've been homeless for at least week.

[sweetheart]

48. ok ok,

Is she in that situation? I though she said she was in 16 years of continuous
employment? It sounds like such a person can easily step to a better job before
the place she's at becomes worse, or just lays her off, and then she could have
taken the jump, and not realizing that her employer owes her nothing and can
fire her at any instant... if she can get a better deal, then surely...

As for being homeless and living in cars, washing out of a basin, been there,
know how hard it is, and would wish that on no person.

[LostinVA]

28. They are completely breaking the law, if you are being forced

to do things on your off time, and you are not being paid. Unless you are Exempt.

You need to call Wages and Hours. They WILL have an investigation. We did it at a place I worked... we all got loads of back pay and their policy was changed nationally.

[Redstone]

33. Welcome to the United Soviet States of America. Brought to you by your

USA PATRIOT act, guarding your Homeland from long-term employees now and FOREVER.

Redstone

[pitohui]

38. i think you need an attorney

clearly they want to drive you out of the job and put in their own man, i don't think they can legally demand you work on your off days for no pay no matter how good the cause

[HEyHEY]

39. What the fuck? They can't search your car!

Can they? Land of the free my ass... move to Canada if someone tried that shit here all hell would break lose.

[datasuspect]

45. yes, yes, and yes

not saying it is right, but a private employer has the right under the law to search your vehicle, desk, hard drive contents, networked comuter files. their property rights supercede a person's constitutionally protected rights when you are on their property or when you are in service to the company. this can't follow you to your house. yet. but i have been in situations where things i've said OFF THE CLOCK, OUTSIDE THE COMPANY'S PREMISES, ON MY OWN PERSONAL TIME have gotten me into trouble.


credit history and criminal background: you waive your rights (in the U.S.) to privacy of personal information when you sign any employment papers. they have legal disclaimers that apprise a prospective employee of this during the hiring process.

[judaspriestess]

41. and of course they will be checking your credit

to see "what kind of person" you are. the problem is, they don't look at your credit history they look at a snapshot of today.

Hey the end of the year is right around the corner, are you sure you can't make it?

[SoyCat]

42. What's next? Compulsory religious service attendance? It's beginning

to sound way too much like the way factory workers were treated in years past.

[datasuspect]

47. you got in a nutshell

that's what they want. they are almost there. employer/employee litigation is heavily weighted in the employer's favor. depending on your jurisdiction of course.

entities like the EEOC have been eviscerated under the bush administration (some might argue this movement started under clinton).

you have the best chance in CLEARLY defined sexual harassment and discrimination cases.

[SoyCat]

53. Isn't this country getting terrifying? I am so glad my husband and I

don't have "jobs" anymore but work for ourselves. I don't think I could have dealt with other employees (the right wing kind) during these last few years--much less management's privacy intrusions.

[BrightBlueDot]

46. This all sucks....one question, though.

How can they require you to do something on your day off without pay? Is that legal? Can you check with the labor board?

Good luck figuring out what to do.

[leftofthedial]

50. you live in a corporatocracy now

if you question any "policy" at all, the terrorists win.

[Fox Mulder]

51. If it were me, I'd walk out of the job.

Fuck them.

Your rights are more important. I thank the gods everyday that I have a unionized job that cares about employee rights.

I wish you luck in whatever you choose to do.

[billyskank]

52. What do you mean, WHY do they want sheep?

They want to exploit you.