Jacobite members told by employer they can not attend meetings!

[xena]

It does have some distressing implications. What if you just happened to go to the same Church (or other religious organisation) as some of your co-workers, some of whom may be your superiors, and some your subordinates. Would they have a leg to stand on to tell you not to go to Church? Or to force you to convert to another denomination? I think not, because that would be an infringement on your rights to religious freedom.

Now, I am in no way, shape or form implying that your club is a religion, and it's not in the same league at all, but looking at it from the point of view of, I believe the term in the US is, your "Constitutional rights", I'm pretty sure I've heard that freedom of association is one of them.

It just seems very strange, and very morally wrong to be told by a civilian employer who you can and cannot socialize with. They have these rules in the military, police, and other emergency services because they can come across situations where leaders have to order someone to do something that is almost certainly going to get them killed. They keep the ranks socially separate so that if and when that decision has to get made, it gets made without someone playing favourites.

The only illustration I can think of comes from the grossly historically inaccurate film U-571. There was a scene where they were aboard a submarine, and it was sinking. The only hope they had was for someone to swim through a submerged passage, close a hatch, and try to swim back. It was a considerable distance. They all KNEW it was a one-way trip. But, if someone didn't do it, they'd ALL die. So, the officer in charge had to pick someone to do this. All of them, including the officer, were willing to do it, because they were all good sailors that were ready to die for their buddies. But, he had the burden of leadership where he had to pick the guy to make the swim. It's a horrible decision to make.

Since when do you have that kind of moral dilemma in the retail sector?

But, yeah, I'd check with a lawyer. This may have some legitimacy depending on your states labour laws and any employment contracts you may have entered into.

[muirkirkca]

Seems pretty Orwellian to me. Sounds like you need legal clarification for the reasons given. Church, fraternal organizations, charitable and recreational activities, education, national guard and on and on? Sounds like senior management has not thought this one through as to all the implications.

[Jerry]

I think that they may have an incorrect image of your group. They seem to think it is a bunch of "Rabble" wearing kilts and getting together strictly to consume alcoholic beverages, and be buddy buddy with each other. Would they have the same problem and solution with employees who were Masons from the same lodge? I would think not. And, if they did I would imagine that litigation would soon follow such an edict. Perhaps you should invite supervision to attend one of your meetings to see what goes on for themselves. One other question. Are any of the members of the Jacobites, both team leaders and non-team leaders, members of this forum and if so are they being told they can't participate here too?

[Jack Daw]

The best advice is to consult an attorney familiar with state labor laws.

[Howard Clark]

Indeed that should be the next thing, professional legal advice from one who is actually familiar with Florida labor law.

I'd be looking for another job, personally, but that's just how I am. (and why I am self employed).

Good luck !

[davedove]

I agree that legal advice should be found, not the ramblings of us here on the forum.

I do wonder though what would happen, as someone else mentioned, if they were members of the same church, their kids go to the same school, the are both members of the same veterans organization, or any of the other myriad associations that people may have.

I understand the intent of the restriction. They are trying to eliminate even the appearance of favoritism.

[Riverkilt]

Boy, power and control! Some attorney will soon have a new boat.

Sounds similar to folks on probation and parole not being allowed to socialize with each other. As a Licensed Professional Counselor I am prohibited by State law from planned socializing with my clients - for their protection.

But the State doesn't prohibit me, and parole and probation don't prohibit those folks, from attending the same church or going to the same AA meeting, or even attending a cultural based group together.

Not sure how retail got into such heavy handed rulemaking. Would guess their intent is to prevent favoritism by supervisors. Sort of like AA meetings in prisons. Every so often the prison staff disolves them so that the current trusted servants don't develop any "power" over other inmates.

But that's prison life...

Ron

[Phogfan86]

I can't help but be curious who the retail chain is.

[puddlemuddle]

All I gotta say is this.....I guess this situation rules out any type of company christmas party or picnin huh?
Yeah, you REALLY need to talk to an attorney about this one. It is a definate infringement upon your constitutional reights, and who cares if it seems like overkill......this is how it all starts anyway...best to nip it in the bud so to speak.
(sorry for sounding too much like "big brother is watching" and al lthat)
Cheers,
Chad

[randal]

While I was in the military there were strict rules on fraternization not just between officers and enlisted but also between junior and senior personnel in their respective pay scales. But that was the military.

The implications of such a "rule" being enacted by a civilian firm seem far reaching, for the good or bad. As noted earlier, not even Fire Departments (or police agencies) can control whom their employees associate with after hours.

I would be most interested to hear how you fare should you seek the legal advice you most desperately need.