It looks like my company is now looking very closely for reasons to lay people off. Isn't there some kind of rule here in Texas where they have to give you a 60 day notice before they can lay you off?

 

Don't think so...this is a "Right to Work" state... which means you can terminate your employement at any moment... and can be fired at any moment for just about any reason.

-- Aaron

 

Yes, there is for layoffs, subject to exclusions, including unforeseen rapid deteriorating economic conditions (a good catch-all loophole IMO). Most companies seem to pay at least 2 months severance in lieu of providing notice.

Good luck, hope you survive...

 

There is a federal law based on company size. I'll ask Suzanne since she's in school for this now. And BTW, severance is not the exact same thing as notice.

 

I'll be honest here... The company is now doing drug tests because someone (senior level at that) got caught with some weed at work and got fired. First of all this doesn't make any sense to me because if I want to smoke a joint after work what does that have to do with my job? Do I (or any of my friends) come into work high? Nope. I haven't smoked an a long time but some of my friends are going to be out of a job, it seems. Very sad. In this day the tech industry is always on the decline and now these guys are going to have to join the very large group known as "unemployed" and try to search for a job with them, which could take awhile to land one that pays at least as much as this one does.

 

New Hampshire is one of those right to work states. They can let you go as quick as they higher you. No reason is even required.

You should quickly move to Taxachussetts, they have all kinds of rules that support the employees. The unemployment compensation is double then what we get here in the "Live free or die" state.

 

Skitz:

You are referring to the Plant Closing Law. This does not deal with layoff when the facility is still in operation. If the whole location is closing and there are more than 30 employees they need to give you 60 days notice. Severance is up to the company. There is no legal requirement.
As far as the drug testing my background is in the pharmaceutical industry and have been doing that since 1970. Just part of the job.
Just as an aside TCH will stay in the body fat for up to 7 days after smoking. Other recreational indulgences are out in 24 to 48 hours.
One more point the testing of hair is approved. This means that what you have done, from a historical basis, can be tracked. Your hair grows about 1/2 inch per month. If you cut your hair (and I do mean all) they can still use finger nails, toe nails, skin, etc.

 

Thanks for the info mns2k. I'm not worried about myself. I will tell everybody and every cop that I have smoked weed. Let the judge me. But should people be thrown into unemployment because they want to sit at home and smoke a joint?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by skitz
[B]Thanks for the info mns2k.

 

In case anyone wants to know, the Federal law (which I wasted my and Suzanne's time finding for you BTW) is the Warn Act. and specifies sixty days notice when more than one third or 500 of a companies workforce are laid off. Here's the link:
http://www.doleta.gov/programs/factsht/warn.htm

Drug testing, on the other hand, is perfectly (if not morally) OK under Federal law as long as it is not applied in a discriminatory way. This usually means that the testing can be: everyone, random, or due to performance changes leading to suspicion.