New Florida laws give bosses powerful control - private activities can negate unemployment benefits

In Florida, off-the-job conduct may put your unemployment benefits at risk

A just-passed overhaul of Florida's unemployment laws gives employers the ability to challenge jobless benefits to former employees for behavior that has little to do with how they conduct themselves at work.

The provision permits businesses to fight a worker's benefits claim based on "misconduct, irrespective of whether the misconduct occurs at the workplace or during working hours."

In essence, it allows the business to cite a worker's private behavior as a reason to deny benefits.

For example, owners of a delivery company, who can now fire a driver cited for reckless driving, could also challenge his right to benefits even if the offense occurred while he was driving his own car on his own time.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-05-11/business/os-legislature-unemployment-benefits-20110511_1_unemployment-benefits-jobless-benefits-unemployment-laws

fascist state NOW?

I wonder if this "law" would cause someone to lose their unemployment benefits if they are seen at a protest for higher wages.

as meaningless as that is in this state, but I suppose in this new facist state that might be considered cause too. How about the Party I am registered in, my contributions, lack of religion, or support for abortion and gay rights? The list could be endless.

Welcome to Tricky Ricky's state. Be warned. Stay OUT of Florida.

The Golden Rule "Those with the most Gold make the rules".

After all, they also apply much heavier taxes to CEOs if those CEOs engage in misconduct outside of working hours.



On edit:Wait, they don't?

who is passing these laws? Is the whole state legislature insane?

'nough said?

They keep track of your personal lives.

nt

I often joke that before it's over they're going to be doing random searches of employee houses to see if they have anything illegal or immoral. I think I'm going to have to stop joking about that now. It's barely an exaggeration at this point.

full circle. Historically, this used to actually be very much the norm until the middle of the 20th century, when unions pushed for laws separating private and work lives and protecting workers from the encroachment of their employers into their private lives. It makes me physically ill that we are now having to fight this battle all over again, when it should be a no-brainer that it's none of your employer's business what you do on your OWN TIME. Hell, people used to be fired for not attending church or even for not attending the church their bosses wanted them to. Welcome back to the Old New World.

...and make more profit with less people.