[msaRick]

One of the complaints I see on here often is that an employer in Orlando (or all of Florida for that matter) can fire you without notice or reason. According to Wiki, 22 other states also have "right to work" laws, so Florida is not unique in this.

My question is two fold. First, why is this a bad thing? Second, in the other 27 states, do the employers always have to give you a reason?

I would like to see answers that aren't personal stories, but that may be asking for too much.

[bdpop]

As far as I understand (don't hold me to this) a right to work state is a state in which you do not have to be in a union (union shop) to work certain jobs. People confuse right to work with "at will" employment in which an employer can fire you at any time for any reason. At will employment also means you can quit at any time for any reason. "At will" employment can occur in non right to work state as well. I hope this helps. Florida is a very pro-employer state.

[Magnulus]

Many states are "at will" for employment, and thisi s more common. Right to work, on the other hand is more insidious since it breaks the backs of unions and removes a major source of their power (since unions cannot negotiate to have closed workplaces), and "Right to Work" tends to go hand-in-hand with "red" states.

I think right to work is wrong. If a bunch of employees want to use their collective power to close a business to non-union members, they should have the right to do so. However, unions are not very popular in red states with conservatives, who will babble on incessantly about Communism/Socialism= unions.

[cagman]

right to work also means that any of those BS "noncompete" agreements these cooporations make you sign are pretty much non-enforceable. Unless you are involved in trade secrets of some sort, you can toss those things in the garbage in FL.

that's a good thing if you're a typical employee.

[marypoppins]

Originally Posted by msaRick

One of the complaints I see on here often is that an employer in Orlando (or all of Florida for that matter) can fire you without notice or reason.

First, why is this a bad thing?

So you think it's OK to strip a person of their livelihood with no good reason?

[Alphaman]

So I guess it comes down to as employees we have very little rights.

[bdpop]

Originally Posted by Alphaman

So I guess it comes down to as employees we have very little rights.

At least in Florida. If you want more employee rights, move to CA or the northeast.

[msaRick]

Originally Posted by marypoppins

So you think it's OK to strip a person of their livelihood with no good reason?

Considering it takes alot of money to find a replacement, I don't think an employer would fire you for no good reason. The reason maybe to cut costs, or becuase they don't like you, or because they found someone better. But there's always a reason.

Do you think an employer should be forced to keep an employee? And if so, under what circumstances would this be?

[marypoppins]

Originally Posted by msaRick

Do you think an employer should be forced to keep an employee? And if so, under what circumstances would this be?

Actually, no, I don't think an employer should be forced to keep an employee if they have good reason to fire them. What I DO have a problem with, is constantly hearing people fear for their jobs. Example......I don't think people should be fired for being sick or for not being able to work due to a genuine crisis. Heck, there was a woman on the news on TV here yesterday, she was in her night-clothes, watching her house burn, yet her main concern was calling work to let them know, she was afraid of getting fired for not turning in! And the poor woman's house was on fire!

And I know you didn't want personal examples, but I'm giving you mine anyway. I have a 2 year contract with my employer, I cannot leave within 2 years because they sponsored me from the UK. Fair enough, they deserve the right to keep me for 2 years......but I have NO rights at all! Sure, they can fire me if they want and don't even have to give me a reason. But I can't resign. Basically, they own me for 2 years. Oh did I say "contract"? Hmm, thought a contract involved 2 parties, but not this one, it's all one-sided.

Just seems to me employers in Florida can do what the heck they like with you, and employees have no rights at all.

I just think it's a basic human right to be sick without being in fear of losing your job.

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by bdpop

At least in Florida. If you want more employee rights, move to CA or the northeast.

Luckily for me I work for someone who is fair and northeast is out of question lived there and don`t want to go back.