Out Of Control Employers (rant)

D

DJ

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

We have to get some facts straight here.<br /><br />This (USA) is a free market economy-at least for now.<br /><br />Anyone that has actually done hiring/firing knows that it is a brutal reality of running a business. I've been on both sides.<br /><br />If I start a business and only want certain types of people, that is my choice. The VAST majority of businesses look at talent and ability, not appearance, habits, etc. There are some idiots out there that will pull a stunt like this. Yet, it is his right to do so. He owns it, we don't. He's taking the risks, we're not.<br /><br />We consumers have the ultimate power, our buying dollars.<br /><br />It is an EXTREMELY SLIPPERY SLOPE to halter businesses with with certain criteria as to which people they cannot and can hire. We have started down that slope. If we get to the bottom, we do not have utopia, we have socialism/facism. <br /><br />Every time those philosophies have been tried, people die needlessly and they were miserable failures.
 
12Footer

12Footer

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

I am a firm believer in the "my house, my rules" philosophy.<br />If this turkey doesn't want smokers and fat chicks werkin for him, hey---it's his roost.
 
pjc

pjc

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

Please disregard my initial "in fun" post to this topic.<br /><br />My opinion is that business owner HW is actually a pioneer of sorts.<br /><br />I do believe that after years of Government intervention sticking their nose into an employers right to choose who they wish to hire, HW is testing the legal waters given the current conservative trend that our nation is finally returning to. <br /><br />Formerly hiring and employment regulations were shaped and driven by lobbying from private special interest groups that pressured the EEOC, for example, to provide a huge array of provisions to people considered disadvantaged. This bureaucracy and legislation has finally peaked, and business as a whole will not tolerate this micromanaging regulation any longer.<br /><br />IMO, I for cast a trend similar to HWs actions that will rock the special interest groups world.<br /><br />I suppose that I could offer a broad spectrum of examples. But this is one. <br /><br />Why hire a smoker if that person may be susceptible to health issues that an employer may be liable for in regards to health care costs. Or same smoker or fatties who affects real time customer issues as JJ has described. No brainer from what some have posted here.<br /><br />Now suppose that an employer hires a black or demonstratively homosexual person. Current law says this person is eligible for employment and discrimination for his race, lifestyle, orientation, etc is verboten.<br /><br />Some of JJs customers, for example, may not want one of the above to service their property. What to do?????<br /><br />To sumerize...what HW is doing may be good?? in the short term. But, in the end, he and other employers face a huge challenge. Sure, he can start with smokers and fatties. But, as my example above, where will it end. Hopefully, as HW the pioneer, more employer friendly Legislators and Judiciary will result that will enact Law that is beneficial to both the employer and the customer conglomerate. Not the individual minority persons who are protected and forced upon us as a whole.
 
S

Stratosfied

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

Just another example of why Unions are important. It sounds to me like the 71 yr old may be having some form of mental illness. <br />Now, his business would not be the sucess it is without the proper support of the employees. I am reminded of the commercial in the late 70's of the business owner who said that he was "in business to provide a service, and that service provides the profit."<br />This being said, the owner is wrong to implement these drastic changes with a "take it or leave" mentality. For the sake of argument, what if he had just converted to a 'fringe' religion, and mandated that all of the employees follow suit or leave?<br />I am all for promoting a healthy lifestyle, but to mandate this to employees on the 60th Anniv. of the liberation of the camps in Germany reeks of a control freak who has lost the edge.<br />I wish the employees were unionized, and I would represent them at the grievance meetings, free of charge, just because it's right.
 
F

fixin

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

KEN.... <br /><br /><br />People who work for a living know about the inequality of power between employers and employees. Workers want to form unions so they can have a voice on the job to improve their lives, their families and their communities.<br /><br />With a union, working people win basic rights, like a say in their jobs, safety and security. Unions help remedy discrimination because union contracts ensure that all workers are treated fairly and equally. When there’s a problem on the job, workers and management can work together as equals to solve it.<br /><br />Higher union wages translate into stronger tax bases for our communities, better schools and infrastructures and healthier local economies. And when workers have a real say in their hours and working conditions, that means they can spend more quality time with their families.<br /><br />Unions help make sure our nation prioritizes working people’s issues: unions hold corporations accountable, make workplaces safe, protect Social Security and retirement, fight for quality health care and ensure that working people have time to spend with their families.<br /><br />All workers deserve to make a free and fair decision on whether to form a union.<br /><br />Why People Join Unions<br />A union is a group of workers who come together to win respect on the job, better wages and benefits, more flexibility for work and family needs and a voice in improving the quality of their products and services. Workers in unions counter-balance the unchecked power of employers.
 
D

DJ

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

I'll take my negotiations, with my employer, into my own hands. I need NOONE to represent me.<br /><br />If they (employer) doesn't want me, for whatever reason, I go to plan "B" and time has shown that I usually get a better situation.<br /><br />I like being in the drivers seat and I'll stay there.
 
pjc

pjc

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

Oh yea, pull tongue from cheek now. Do those here who support HW really want to go back hundreds of years??<br /><br />Get in that field boy, get to pickin' thet cotton!!!<br /><br />By G-D! you was in the militery...git outta here ya baby killer!!!!!!<br /><br />We don't hire no womens to do mans work here!!!<br /><br />Bottom line this dude HW is capitalizing on current anti smokers and obese health issues to do what he wants. Furthermore, I question the dudes mental capabilities given his age and behavior. Also, am betting a significant $$$$$ benefit from his health insurer should he pull this off.
 
pjc

pjc

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

Unions. There is a recent thread debating Labor Unions.<br /><br />Yea, good for you DJ. <br /><br />Me, Proud Member In Good Standing, PACE Local 7-0209.
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

pjc,<br /><br />I smoke, on and off. Stupid-yes and it is a REAL expense generator.<br /><br />Your recollection to slavery is off base, at best.<br /><br />Consumers today will not allow or tolerate such anti rights behavior from an employer. That is the beauty of a free market society.<br /><br />As I said, I'll make my OWN decisions an take my OWN consequences.<br /><br />I'm a vanishing breed, I guess.
 
pjc

pjc

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

sorry DJ, perhaps my examples were overly theatric.
 
D

DJ

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

pjc,<br /><br />No reason to apologize. Different opinions-maybe.<br /><br />That's what makes this country so great. We can differ and still get along.<br /><br />Peace. My best to you and yours.
 
SpinnerBait_Nut

SpinnerBait_Nut

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

Unions might be a good thing, but go down to your local unemployment office and see how many are standing in line waiting to get a job cause the last place they worked had to shut down because the union would not let the workers work and placed picket lines up and then the company goes belly up, then where are the workers?<br /><br />I have 3 guys working for me that were union workers at a steel mill.<br /><br />The union decided to strike cause the contract was up and they wanted a lot more money for the guys.<br /><br />The company would not pay it and closed the plant.<br />Plant sold to "new" owners in a couple months with all new non union workers.<br />Nothing the union could do about it except tell the workers sorry, sorry don't put food on the table.<br /><br />I am glad I am getting out of my business in March. Don't have to worry about this stuff then.<br /><br />With that said, I have rules and guidelines my drivers live by and if they don't want to, then hit the road, there's plenty out there wanting to work.
 
D

DJ

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

SBN wrote,<br /><br />
I am glad I am getting out of my business in March. Don't have to worry about this stuff then.<br /><br />With that said, I have rules and guidelines my drivers live by and if they don't want to, then hit the road, there's plenty out there wanting to work.<br />
Click to expand...
While I agree, we have to continue to hold our own. Unfortunately, those willing to work may not be American citizens.<br /><br />We are slowly losing our nationalism. To me, that is scary.<br /><br />All are welcome, but, you become an American for the priveledge of living/working here. Otherwise, you are welcome as a "guest".<br /><br />As a citizen, we can NEVER, "CHECK OUT".
 
K

kenimpzoom

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

Overpowerful unions are what have run the major airlines into the ground.<br /><br />But I really dont want to debate unions here, that is for another thread.<br /><br />Plus debating unions is really moot, we all have our positions and any debate wont likely change our position.<br /><br />Ken
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

Ken,<br /><br />Well said. We all have opinions. At least we can express them.
 
pjc

pjc

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

Ken, and Baseball too. Take drug testing for example. If I am suspected of drugging or drinking......instant removal from workplace to clinic for inspection. And further action if warranted.<br /><br />The baseball players, we all knew a portion of the players were on steroids, but the players union prevented testing. That is a union out of control.
 
JasonJ

JasonJ

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

MY, I am not disagreeing with you at all. In a perfect world, we would not be judged solely on appearance. Guess what, it happens all the time. In my company, it is my job to monitor the performance of the other technicians. I have trained them all, they all do good jobs. Unfortunately, the ones with less than agreeable habits or appearance get the most complaints. I have gone to these houses, spoke with the customers, and assured them that the service was done properly, even if the overweight guy had to do things a little differently because of his limitations. The customers are almost always fine after that, but then the company has lost the money that pays my wages along with the vehicle expenses it cost to get to that customer. Whatever profit was made on the initial service is long gone now. A company like this will go under in a month if this sort of thing is prevailant. What is the solution, tell all the customers to not stereotype our technicians based on their own narrow minded beliefs or just make sure we have technicians that fit the so called ideal service provider mold?<br /><br />When I first started at this, I had long hair, in a pony tail. It was my "I am out of the military and don't have to cut my hair" phase. You know what, I had constant complaints, customers didn't want me back, you name it. The boss never told me to cut my hair, but I started to realize that a more professional appearance is in order. I cut my hair, and recieved a dollar an hour raise on the spot. No more customer complaints after that either, and I did nothing different. I even had customers tell me they where glad "that long haired hippy" didn't come back to their house. They never realized I was the hippy, and I said nothing. <br /><br />I don't know about anyone else, but it has been my experience that the guy who runs every other day, keeps clean and neat of appearance, and takes pride in his life does a better job than the guy who lays on his arse and eats hot dogs all day and could give a rip if his car ever gets washed. Personal pride equals professional pride, period. no way around it, thats just the way the world works....<br /><br />On a side note, my sister is overweight, and smokes on occasion (trying to quit), and does a very good job. She is always clean, always neat, and always professional. Its the sloppy fat lazy worker that invariably does the poor job. Smoking really has little to do with job performance, but has a lot to do with how the worker is percieved. Smokers need smoking breaks, people don't want to be around smokers anymore. I just don't see why it is so hard to understand why a company would want people who do not repel other people, even if it is a narrow minded bigotted state of mind....
 
pjc

pjc

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

hello JJ,<br /> with all due respect, I find your position as well as comments very confusing to a degree.<br /><br />The clients you quote wish not to have service people who appear less than acceptable to their liking due to their perceived traits, or personal appearance, capabilities, if you will.<br /><br />Yet, the customers are being serviced for "bug" removal. <br /><br />Are the nature of the bugs, or pests that are being removed there due to a housekeeping situation. ie.....are the customers slobs leaving chunks of pizza on the floor or otherwise displaying poor housekeeping habits that will encourage "bugs" to seek habitation in their residences?
 
T

Terry H

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Re: Out Of Control Employers (rant)

pjc, one of the assetts that an exterminator need possess is a little physical fitness. A 300 lber aint gonna get in the crawlspace, or, into the attic in alot of buildings. Oh yea, stinkin' up a customers house or office with stogies aint appreciated much either. <br /> And, it don't matter about the customers housekeeping much, as long as they have money to pay the bill, they can whine all they want. Chief<br /> :) <br />pjc, if I seem a little direct it's because Bluto makes me say this stuff. Chief :)
 
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