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From: robertv@tekla.UUCP (Robert Vetter)
Newsgroups: net.jobs
Subject: Re: Urinalysis...Lie Detectors...all the new rage?
Message-ID: <444@tekla.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 10-Mar-86 11:21:37 EST
Article-I.D.: tekla.444
Posted: Mon Mar 10 11:21:37 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 14-Mar-86 04:45:47 EST
References: <1336@pucc-i> <172@lll-lcc.UUcp> <2547@pixar.pixar>
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 35

> > What business does your employer have telling you what to do and
> > what not to do in your off-hours? I can see a big case for firing
> > someone if they show up drunk or stoned for work, but after hours?
> 
> 	Let's say I'm an employer.  I want smart people to work for me.  I
> want honest people to work for me.  I want responsible people to work for me.
> I don't want people who are in a self-destruct mode.  That means I don't want
> people with drug habits.  The time of day they do the drugs is quite irrelevant.
> 
> 	I'm not telling you not to do drugs, I'm just telling you that if you
> do you can't work for me.  I see nothing unfair about that.
> 
	You assume that all drug use is habitual, and that all
	habitual users are self-destuctive.  I'm not sure just what
	"smart" and "honest" have to do with drug use or non-use.

	The problem is that giving someone a job should not allow
	the employer to dictate lifestyle.  The ONLY criteria for
	hiring/firing should be the competence of the perspective
	employee to perform the tasks given.  If competence is 
	affected by personal habits, THEN the employer has the
	right to take action.

	To hire and fire based on lifestyles which do NOT affect
	competence would cause alot of problems for several good
	potential employees (and probably yourself).  Do you refuse
	to hire those who do not share your religious convictions ?
	What about divorced people, or non-married people who live
	together.  What about Democrats (or if you're a Democrat,
	Republicans).

	I hope you don't limit your own options too much by your
	refusal to hire people based on lifestyle.  I'm glad that
	I have an employer that does not refuse to hire nicotine
	and sugar addicts, and heavy caffeine and alcohol users.