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Today's Poll: Should school districts dismiss employees whose off-work activities offend some?

By Howard B. Owens
Cory Hawley

Offend? No. If this was the case most people would be unemployed. You name it, what one person does at home, whether it be how they raise their kids, what they watch on TV, what they paint, what their yard looks like, etc it offends someone. It is not illegal to offend someone, at least I thought it wasn't...

Oct 2, 2012, 9:05am Permalink
C. M. Barons

I think that depends on the activity. I'll assume that since the poll question denotes "offend(ing) some," that the activities are not illegal. That still provides significant berth for the nature of the offending activity. Firing someone based upon political differences, differences in artistic taste, religious differences or sexual preference (when the offending activities are conducted outside the workplace and are not violating civil law or violating contract-terms) would be unfair and likely deserving of redress.

Oct 2, 2012, 1:32pm Permalink
Frank Collins

Based on the poll, maybe schools should cave so much to the interests of the vocal minorities. Plus, once someone loses there job for their off-site activities, where can you draw the line? There's always some busybody who tries to push their idea of morality on everyone.

Oct 2, 2012, 1:57pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

I might be in favor having the FCC run on this principle, though. Imagine the face of broadcast television and radio if all the offensive programming was eliminated? On second thought, nothing would be broadcast. ...Still an improvement.

Oct 2, 2012, 3:02pm Permalink
Greg Siedlecki

A lot of schools, and employers (both Private and State/Federal) are already tracking students and or employees on Facebook and Twitter. It's just a matter of time before comments or after hours activities lead to dismissals.

Oct 2, 2012, 11:01pm Permalink

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