A friend of mine was fired

[question everything]

for refusing to remove his Star of David necklace that he has been wearing for more than 20 years.

All of a sudden the employer decided that it was a safety hazard. I hope that he will see a lawyer.

I really think that these days it is a lot easier for employer to get rid of "problem" employees under the guise of "the recession."

[Hello_Kitty]

1. Damn straight it is.

I've been employed since April, after about a year of being unemployed, and terrified. The company I work for is pretty decent but the petty indignities and added expectations are mounting. It's a sales and marketing position (with a base salary and benefits) and my numbers were fine until just last week. I, along with the majority of the people hired the same time I was, am now on "probation" pending my ability to meet a new benchmark. Somehow I predict that the benchmark will be moved again. I suspect I'm not long for this job.

[question everything]

3. I am so sorry to hear that

Is there anyone you can talk to? Your direct boss who hired you? Your HR person?

Can you find out what exactly what they expect? Perhaps even their hidden agenda? (there always is one).

Let's hope that it was the end of the summer that put a dent in your numbers.

[Hello_Kitty]

7. We were part of a new business model they are trying out.

Previously, the sales force was commission-only independent contractors. I suspect some MBA bean-counter over-projected what salaried employees could generate. Out of the 30 of us who were hired, no one is making the "stretch" goal while most of us are barely making the "minimum". My managers were happy with my work and encouraging until just last week. Now I'm getting regular criticism and requests for reports on what I'm doing. My numbers have actually improved but I'm being told I need to ramp it up. My counterparts tell me they're getting the same thing.

[MrModerate]

2. Well . . . dangling jewelry *is* often a real hazard. Of course, if he's an accountant . . .

That wouldn't matter. Do you know the circumstances?

[question everything]

5. No, he does work on the floor

however, he was wearing it for more than 20 years. And, I would think, be the first one to understand any hazard.

Apparently there was a new employee manual and when he went to ask HR for clarification, an addendum was added.

I just heard about it and they are in shock but one has to wonder about the "out of the blue" rule.

[maglatinavi]

10. jewelry

Isn't that a violation of the first amendment? He should get in contact with the american civil liberties union... ACLU This is important for him and the rest of the citizenry.:rant:

[MrModerate]

11. Could be it's been unsafe all along and he's just been lucky to avoid . . .

a lost-time incident or worse. Sounds like the employer upgraded its procedures. Is this a workplace overwhelmed by christianists or some other sect that would consider anyone who's Jewish to be a "problem" employee? I'm guessing not, if he's been there more than 20 years.

This might be a "sometimes a hazard is just a hazard" situation.

[Vickers]

4. Couldn't he have tucked it under his shirt?

:shrug:

I work around some heavy equipment at times (hydraulic pumps), and I would never have anything dangling down from my neck (I wear my badge in my shirt pocket, for instance).

[question everything]

8. I doubt that it was dangling

He has been at his job for many years and understands what would be considered hazard.

There is something fishy about all of a sudden a manual arrives, and then an addendum after he asked HR about that.

Will just have to wait and see how things develop.

On the one hand, like all of us he needs the job. On the other hand, I would hate to go back to such a place.

[Javaman]

6. The big question is...

did anyone one wearing a cross also get fired?

I think I know the answer to that one.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

9. Really anyone wearing a necklace of any kind.