Chicopee John Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 I find this more interesting on union activity than on this particular case. To me, this is a slam dunk firing. Not sure how he could have been caught and, then, have charges dropped but that is another story, I guess................................ Disclaimer: I am 100% in favor of Pot legalization - in a way comparable to how legal drugs (alcohol) are managed, regulated, taxed, etc. Union: State Shouldn't Have Fired Man For Smoking Pot On Job Associated Press HARTFORD — A lawyer for a labor union urged the Connecticut Supreme Court on Thursday to rule that the firing of a state worker caught smoking marijuana in a state-owned vehicle while on the job was too harsh a punishment. Gregory Linhoff was fired from his maintenance job at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington in 2012 after a police officer caught him smoking pot. He had no previous disciplinary problems since being hired in 1998 and had received favorable job evaluations, according to his union. He was arrested, but the charges were later dismissed. Linhoff appealed the discipline to an arbitrator, who ruled the firing was too extreme and Linhoff instead should be suspended without pay for six months and subjected to random drug and alcohol testing for one year. The arbitrator said that while state rules and policies on drug and alcohol use allow for firing first-time offenders like Linhoff, they do not mandate it. The state appealed to a Superior Court judge, who overturned the arbitrator's decision on the grounds that it violated Connecticut's public policy against marijuana use. Linhoff's union, the Connecticut Employees Union Independent SEIU, appealed the judge's ruling to the Supreme Court, which is expected to rule in a few months. Barbara Collins, an attorney representing the union, argued that the trial judge was wrong. The state attorney general's office said a decision in favor of the union would send a worrisome message that the state tolerates drug use and other criminal activity by state workers on the job. A spokeswoman for UConn Health said safety is the top priority for patients and employees. "We have no tolerance for any employee under the influence of illegal drugs at our health care workplace," spokeswoman Lauren Woods said. At the time Linhoff was fired, he was seeking treatment for depression, stress and anxiety because his wife had filed for divorce and he had a cancer scare; he believed smoking pot helped to alleviate his worries, according to Collins. Collins wrote in court documents that Linhoff's conduct was not so egregious that he should be denied a second chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blowe Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Advocate of legalizing weed here.. dude deserved it. I used to smoke pot on the job (working in a restaurant...) and I knew the consequences if I got caught. I only found out later that my boss knew it was happening but chose to keep me because I did better work than anyone else there. Those were the younger me days.. I would not smoke on the job anymore. This dude should have considered the risks more before lighting up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieHardBrownsFan Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Lazy pot smoking faggot New Englander. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Just more proof of the lack of accountability in our society today. Everyone's a victim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Post Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 I smoke weed but not if I'm working or going there. It's no ones Bidness what I do at home so don't bring home activities to work. If he's that much of a fuck up to understand then he shouldve been fired years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gftChris Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 Is pot legal in that state? If not, then absolutely fire him. If it is legal, then what's the punishment for alcohol? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicIsForSquares Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 Is pot legal in that state? If not, then absolutely fire him. If it is legal, then what's the punishment for alcohol? You can still get canned for drinking on the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicIsForSquares Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 If it is an "at will" state, they could fire the guy for anything they wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gftChris Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 You can still get canned for drinking on the job. Then he should be fired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westside Steve Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 Chris is it legal to smoke weed in Great Britain? And are you allowed to drink on the job? Many years ago I lived in Texas for a bit and it was legal to drink a beer in your car. WSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gftChris Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 No, and generally no. Not sure what the punishment for the second is though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westside Steve Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 I guess I'm fortunate, as an Entertainer I'm not only allowed to drink on the job but sometimes encouraged by management to do so. I think Akron General Hospital has a different policy. WSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gftChris Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 I guess I'm fortunate, as an Entertainer I'm not only allowed to drink on the job but sometimes encouraged by management to do so. I think Akron General Hospital has a different policy. WSS Yeah, it varies from profession to profession, of course. I can go to the pub for lunch and have a pint or two as long as it doesn't impair my ability to work. If I get wasted at lunchtime that might be an issue. Medical professionals of course, probably different rules, and in general civil servants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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