Posted on 01/12/2012 12:23:00 PM PST by seanmerc
Ben Stein claims he's a victim of political discrimination.
The conservative pundit and actor -- and former Nixon speechwriter -- alleges that his position on climate change had him kicked off a $300,000 acting gig, only to be replaced by a lookalike.
Stein filed a discrimination suit against Japanese company Kyocera Corporation and New York ad agency Seiter & Miller Advertising, in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday.
He is claiming breach of contract, wrongful discharge and emotional distress, among other charges.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
“This is a serious question. Do employers in America have the right to fire employees strictly over their political views?”
In Stein’s case, the answer is “yes.” He’s a celebrity - he’s selling Ben Stein as a product. If the Ben Stein “product” has expressed political views that the company’s likely customers will find abhorrent, then “Ben Stein” isn’t useful to them. (Imagine a gun company hiring a celebrity spokesman, and then finding out said spokesman is pro gun control)
This is why I don’t blog about religion, sex or politics under my own name.
That was good.
What about employees who aren’t celebreties? Can you fire someone simply for voting for Obama or McCain?
Voting is secret, so no. But if you blog about how you vote, and your employer googles you? Employment law varies by state, so it’s tough to generalize. But plenty of people have been fired for ill-advised Facebook posts and pictures.
Privacy is a good thing!
You can fire “at will” employees for any, or no, reason at any time.
Stein’s lawsuit will probably be dismissed. But “I was fired because I don’t believe in Global Warming” helps improve his “Brand” as a conservative writer/lecturer; IOW, the lawsuit is likely a publicity stunt.
My mileage varies greatly from yours. From October 30, 2006:
“You can fire “at will” employees for any, or no, reason at any time.” For the most part, yes, but there exceptions, such as “implied contract.” And of course some people are in “protected” categories - ie, disabled, minority, old - and should be handled with kid gloves.
If you fire someone because they have an Obama bumper sticker on their car, their lawyer will give your Employee Handbook and Personnel Department’s Policies and Procedures the once over, to make sure you didn’t violate them. So plan ahead. (grin)
Ben thinks that government should spread the wealth. So, Ben, your employer is just spreading the wealth to others. It’s just not your turn this time. It should help you to feel a little less guilty because you’ll have a little less money.
It’s a good thing, really. Nothing to whine about.
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