Jacobite members told by employer they can not attend meetings!

[Jerry]

I think that they may have an incorrect image of your group. They seem to think it is a bunch of "Rabble" wearing kilts and getting together strictly to consume alcoholic beverages, and be buddy buddy with each other. Would they have the same problem and solution with employees who were Masons from the same lodge? I would think not. And, if they did I would imagine that litigation would soon follow such an edict. Perhaps you should invite supervision to attend one of your meetings to see what goes on for themselves. One other question. Are any of the members of the Jacobites, both team leaders and non-team leaders, members of this forum and if so are they being told they can't participate here too?

[Jack Daw]

The best advice is to consult an attorney familiar with state labor laws.

[Howard Clark]

Indeed that should be the next thing, professional legal advice from one who is actually familiar with Florida labor law.

I'd be looking for another job, personally, but that's just how I am. (and why I am self employed).

Good luck !

[davedove]

I agree that legal advice should be found, not the ramblings of us here on the forum.

I do wonder though what would happen, as someone else mentioned, if they were members of the same church, their kids go to the same school, the are both members of the same veterans organization, or any of the other myriad associations that people may have.

I understand the intent of the restriction. They are trying to eliminate even the appearance of favoritism.

[Riverkilt]

Boy, power and control! Some attorney will soon have a new boat.

Sounds similar to folks on probation and parole not being allowed to socialize with each other. As a Licensed Professional Counselor I am prohibited by State law from planned socializing with my clients - for their protection.

But the State doesn't prohibit me, and parole and probation don't prohibit those folks, from attending the same church or going to the same AA meeting, or even attending a cultural based group together.

Not sure how retail got into such heavy handed rulemaking. Would guess their intent is to prevent favoritism by supervisors. Sort of like AA meetings in prisons. Every so often the prison staff disolves them so that the current trusted servants don't develop any "power" over other inmates.

But that's prison life...

Ron

[Phogfan86]

I can't help but be curious who the retail chain is.

[puddlemuddle]

All I gotta say is this.....I guess this situation rules out any type of company christmas party or picnin huh?
Yeah, you REALLY need to talk to an attorney about this one. It is a definate infringement upon your constitutional reights, and who cares if it seems like overkill......this is how it all starts anyway...best to nip it in the bud so to speak.
(sorry for sounding too much like "big brother is watching" and al lthat)
Cheers,
Chad

[randal]

While I was in the military there were strict rules on fraternization not just between officers and enlisted but also between junior and senior personnel in their respective pay scales. But that was the military.

The implications of such a "rule" being enacted by a civilian firm seem far reaching, for the good or bad. As noted earlier, not even Fire Departments (or police agencies) can control whom their employees associate with after hours.

I would be most interested to hear how you fare should you seek the legal advice you most desperately need.

[Good Egg]

I am astounded by this sort of behavior from an employer. As pointed out by other members kicking up a fuss may damage your career prospects. Perhaps you could try a different approach. Ask Jacobites, who are not employees to complain to the owners of the company. Further down the line they could start writting letters to the press and media and start threatening to organise boycotts etc. Retail companies have to be sensitive to public opinion. If head office start recieving letters from outraged kilties all over the country...

[Peter C.]

I doubt if any state labor laws would cover anything like this other than to outlaw it.

If you are salaried, maybe they could enforce it, but if paid by the hour, I would suggest they have no control over you outside of working hours.

However, if you upset them they can make your life difficult or even sack you, which would be very bad in the current financial situation.

I was in the British military and we had the same rules as the US military but there were still times when everyone came together socially, like christmas parties when everybody in a particular work area or platoon would go to the pub together with no problems. And if you went to a class or a sailing club or something like that, the fact that soldiers of other ranks were also there would not make it ilegal for you to join.

It seems strange in "the land of the free" that someone can remove your freedom to socialize with whoever you like. But at the present time you may be better off just putting up with it.