Employers can now ban socializing with co-workers after work

[emad]

I found this on slashdot - I'm sure at least a few of you caught it

The U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled to http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/workersrights/eye7_2005.cfm at the employer's discretion. So getting together for a beer after work can now be prohibited by the boss. With IT workers so commonly producing some of our best work 'after hours,' even at home or in restaurants/bars, will this ruling come back to bite employers in the IT industry? Can they really stop you from talking with your cubicle neighbor on the bus home, if they can't even stop you from reading Slashdot while on the clock?"

Main article here:
http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/workersrights/eye7_2005.cfm

Any opinions on this? I kind of understand when a company decides to stop employees from dating each other since they'd be bringing their personal lives to work, but to be able to stop you from having a few drinks with some co-workers after work? Seems a bit crazy to me...

 

[Andrew R]

That'd be good at my work. The Goobers are always trying to con me into going to stupid stuff with them after work. There's real life - then there's work life. They shouldn't be mixed.


It's probably a lot different for full time workers but I'm only a casual worker that still goes to school so I definately have more interesting people to see than the freaks I work with.

 

[ledhed]

work someplace else .

 

[unsanctified]

Stupid. They can ban it all they want but it'll never be a rule heavily enforced or taken seriously, just the like 6 line signiture max here.

 

[Solid Fro]

It's one of those stupid laws. It's common, but no one is going to enforce it.

 

[sukerkin]

I'm astonished that such legislature is even being considered I have to say.

In the military with a chain of command that could be corrupted by personal relationships (or people using their authority to 'force' relationships) then a degree of regulation is required but in civvie street ... ?

 

[DQuaN]

I work for my Dad's company. It would be a bit stupid if I wasn't allowed to talk to him outside of work!

 

[sukerkin]

100 Pointing-Out-The-Idiocy-of-Legislation reward points 👍.

 

[Touring Mars]

Jeez, haven't they got anything better to do with their time that to pass laws like that? It's idiotic.... if you tried to stop our lot from going for a beer together after work, there would be a riot... and then we'd go to the pub anyway

 

[FoolKiller]

So, what if 10-20 people from my department went out after work? The company would be left with the option of firing us all and crippling the department or ignoring the issue.

I don't see many companies actually making this into a company rule. Many companies try to emphasize social building between workers and this would hamper that kind of atmosphere. My company even has a social committee to try and organize events for the employees.

 

[sicbeing]

It's all in the new plan to turn us into work-drones.

 

[Dave A]

I find this amusing when connected with the land of the free. All I'd say is try to stop me, hahahaha. But like most of you have already said, theres little chance of anyone actually enforcing it.

 

[kyle]

Why do we have to waste our time to pass crap like this? Why don't we get to more important things.

 

[VT]

So uhh .. what happens if you, by chance, work with your husband/wife?

 

[Pupik]

It's one of those stupid laws. It's common, but no one is going to enforce it.

Unless it's a convienent excuse to sack an employee.

Basically, it's up to workplaces to decide if this is a good or bad company policy, not a law. I can see why employers don't want you to wear your work clothes replete with logos and insignia, and go en masse to the bar.

Heck, we all do it at my job; bosses just ask casually mention that we play it safe, and not mention the L-word.

 

[FoolKiller]

So uhh .. what happens if you, by chance, work with your husband/wife?

This is the case with a co-worker of mine and from day one they have made them stay in separate departments so that they can never truly be considered co-workers.

I've also heard of situations where they tell them they have to choose one to go or they will both have to go. I've only heard of that once though. Not too common.

 

[a6m5]

I think the main articles' headline thumbed it up nicely: "Big Brother Nixes Happy Hour"

Any opinions on this? I kind of understand when a company decides to stop employees from dating each other since they'd be bringing their personal lives to work, but to be able to stop you from having a few drinks with some co-workers after work? Seems a bit crazy to me...

I dated someone I indirectly worked with once. She wasn't a coworker, but worked for a company that came to my work all the time. It didnt' work out, and luckly, nobody(at least not many) found out when it got ugly. I haven't asked anyone out who I have working relationship with, since.

As for the hanging out with your coworkers after work, half of my friends are people I work with or have worked with. My work is like foolkiller's though. They organize "night out" for us, company paid to go bowling, lazer tag, go karting, stuff like that. Heck, I played Tennis with my boss and the guy from shipping/receiving, just last Friday!

 

[911_gt3_rs]

In line with what a6m5, was saying, i believe that work is an important place where we meet people, especially in offices, much like kids meet their friends at school. Adults should be able to meet friends at work. If legislation takes away the right to make have relationships of any sort at work, be it going for a beer, playing sports, or romantic/sexual then things are getting out of hand.

 

[Woolie Wool]

I found this on slashdot - I'm sure at least a few of you caught it



Main article here:
http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/workersrights/eye7_2005.cfm

Any opinions on this? I kind of understand when a company decides to stop employees from dating each other since they'd be bringing their personal lives to work, but to be able to stop you from having a few drinks with some co-workers after work? Seems a bit crazy to me...

Completely unenforceable and useless. Memphis has a law requiring women drivers to be preceded by a man waving a red flag, but I haven't seen any red flags recently.

 

[PS]

Completely unenforceable and useless. Memphis has a law requiring women drivers to be preceded by a man waving a red flag, but I haven't seen any red flags recently.

Hell, I could use a red flag every time I hit the road with women on it!

JK ladies...