Wal-Mart Expresses Sympathy For Terminally Ill Worker ... And Then Fires Him

[meegbear]

Walmart worker Joseph Casias, 29, can take heart from the fact that the company is highly “sympathetic” to his struggle with an inoperable brain tumor. The sympathy, however, did not prevent the company from firing him because he used legal medical marijuana to deal with the pain of the tumor.

Casias was fired in November from a Walmart store in Battle Creek, Mich., after marijuana was detected in a routine drug screening. He proceeded to show all of the records that he took the marijuana legally and there was never a complaint about his performance at work. He worked 12-14 hours a day.
Walmart spokesman Greg Rossiter told FoxNews.com “This is just an unfortunate situation all around.” Well a bit more unfortunate for Casias, wouldn’t you say? Rossiter add “We’re sympathetic to Mr. Casias’ condition, but like other companies, we have to consider the overall safety of our customers and associates, including Mr. Casias, when making a difficult decision like this.” So, this is a Walmart version of Reefer Madness.

Once again, I am not sure why Wal-Mart fights these fights (here) and reaffirms the global view of the company as one of the dark forces in the business world.

http://jonathanturley.org/2010/03/18/wal-mart-expresses-sympathy-for-terminally-ill-worker-and-then-fires-him/

[raccoon]

1. You were expecting something different, maybe? Assholes. nt

[boobooday]

2. The safety of the customers?????

Jesus.

[Enthusiast]

7. Why yes.

Under the influence of marijuana a worker could drop a heavy box on a customers head killing them instantly. Very dangerous.

[kenfrequed]

14. Holy crapola

A Walmart greeter could inadvertantly give directions to the 'loose-rusty-razor-blades-and-crocodile aisle.' Damn you, won't you please think of the children!!!

[conscious evolution]

3. I hope he sues

Michigan medical Marijuana laws state that companies are specificly forbidden from firing employees for using doctor prescribed MM.

[Enthusiast]

8. Wal Mart is more

powerful than the State of Michigan.

[Luciferous]

9. Well then I hope he sues them and wins a ton of money. The way

Walmart treats employees is disgusting.

[Romulox]

10. I don't think the law says that. Michigan is an at-will state, at any rate. nt

[conscious evolution]

12. Someone posted this story last week

Someone else posted the relevant passages from Michagan law.
If he had been let go without any reason then,yes,he might not have a case do to at will laws.
However,he was specificly fired because of the test results.That puts the MM law into play in this case.

[Romulox]

15. I know. It's my opinion that they misinterpreted the statute.

MICHIGAN MEDICAL MARIHUANA ACT

Section 333.26424


Sec. 4. (a) A qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry identification card shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for the medical use of marihuana in accordance with this act...

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28w5q32x55qhfqynj4emrnv455%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-333-26424

The language cited... "shall not be...denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau..." does not, and was not intended to, amend Michigan's at-will employment law. It actually means that one may not be denied a legal or a medical license, e.g., because of MM use.

In the language above, "business" is meant to modify "licensing board or bureau", not stand by itself.

[conscious evolution]

16. delete-misread the code

Upon re reading it it does seem to be a little fuzzy.
I think it will come down to the 'or' in any legal proceedings.

[Romulox]

18. Fwiw, my sympathies are 100% with this worker. Walmart is a disgrace. nt

[Joey Kidd]

4. "we have to consider the overall safety of our customers and associates"

Wow,what lame and stupid excuse.

[patrice]

13. Then we can rejoice that WalMart is testing for blood alcohol too? & other prescribed psycho

tropics?

Not.

[peekaloo]

5. So did his condition prevent them from purchasing dead peasants insurance?

Walmart...the lowest values....always.

[Luciferous]

6. If it's legal for him to use it, does that mean he has a case against them?

And what the hell are they talking about, "the overall safety of our customers and associates"?

[Romulox]

11. I am 100% for legalization. But I don't think he has a case.

The language in the Michigan statute people cite doesn't say what they think it says.

[jberryhill]

17. No, they are all "at will" employees

They can be fired for any reason or no reason.

It's not as if they needed a reason to fire him in the first place.