Tulsa city council adds sexual orientation as a protected class

[Hoss]

I'm rather a fan of disorganized religion myself.

I find the term 'organized religion' an oxymoron.

[Red Arrow]

Do you think black people are 'hiding' behind the laws? Do you think it would be ok to fire someone just for being black, or white, or brown??

I wasn't hired for a summer job that I had the previous two summers (long time ago when I was in college) because I am white.  The job had to go to black person.

[Red Arrow]

It has nothing to do with hiding behind anything.

You probably won't like it any better but see my edit.  I can understand that you cannot be what I would call objective about protected classes.

[azbadpuppy]

I wasn't hired for a summer job that I had the previous two summers (long time ago when I was in college) because I am white.  The job had to go to black person.

Did they actually tell you that was the reason?

[azbadpuppy]

I can understand that you cannot be what I would call objective about protected classes.

I feel the same about you.

[Rico]

Protected classes are groups of people who are protected under law from discrimination. Its hard to understand for people who have never been victims of discrimination.

And the courts will now have to recognize protection of sexual orientation as a 'protected class' in Tulsa as it pertains to this employment law, just like national origins, disabilities, gender, etc.

BTW, religion is also a protected class, and religion is not a genetic trait...

Unfortunately as long as there are people who discriminate based solely on the traits of another they do not like or agree with, then the need for these types of protections under the law will exist.

Also, for the record, sexual orientation includes heterosexuality too.

How does Oklahoma as a "Right to Work" state need worry about the law?

No employed class is protected. The reason given may be translated to another group of words... thats all.

If I am wrong please explain. I have had a real problem with the whole "Right to Work" legislation being enacted.

The reason I was told their was such a push for the legislation to begin with was "Whirlpool".

Although I have never been the victim of a "Right to Work" action; I have witnessed several discussions, behind closed doors, to use it to circumvent any action by an affected ex-employee.

The whole thing sucks IMO.

[azbadpuppy]

I find it insulting that so many feel the need to hide behind being   belong to a "protected class".

Funny, because you belong to several protected classes.

I am going to make some big assumptions here, so forgive me if I am wrong but.....

You are male, heterosexual, middle aged, and religious.

ALL of those are 'protected classes'.

Welcome to the club.

[azbadpuppy]

How does Oklahoma as a "Right to Work" state need worry about the law?

No employed class is protected. The reason given may be translated to another group of words... thats all.

If I am wrong please explain. I have had a real problem with the whole "Right to Work" legislation being enacted.

The reason I was told their was such a push for the legislation to begin with was "Whirlpool".

Although I have never been the victim of a "Right to Work" action; I have witnessed several discussions, behind closed doors, to use it to circumvent any action by an affected ex-employee.

The whole thing sucks IMO.

'Right to work' simply means you can fire at will any employee, at any time for any legal reason. If you are a smart employer, however, you better have all your documents in order. Right to work is not necessarily a bad thing, because it allows employers to easily rid themselved of unproductive or unscrupulous workers, while the law still protects against unfair hiring/firing practices.

This new policy only applies to City of Tulsa employees, btw.

[Rico]

'Right to work' simply means you can fire at will any employee, at any time for any legal reason. If you are a smart employer, however, you better have all your documents in order. Right to work is not necessarily a bad thing, because it allows employers to easily rid themselved of unproductive or unscrupulous workers, while the law still protects against unfair hiring/firing practices.

This new policy only applies to City of Tulsa employees, btw.

I understand the "new policy" only applies to COT employees.

If that is your understanding on how "Right to Work" is used... You really should get out more often.
No insult intended. The way it is being used is as a protection from "Organized Labor", "downsizing", etc.

Of course I do admit it could be used in an ethical way. Not that downsizing is not in most cases an ethical use.

But, when you take employees that are fired and replaced, doing the same job, because the seniority and pay grade of the first group is not of benefit to the companies bottom line..... That troubles me.

[azbadpuppy]

I understand the "new policy" only applies to COT employees.

If that is your understanding on how "Right to Work" is used... You really should get out more often.
No insult intended. The way it is being used is as a protection from "Organized Labor", "downsizing", etc.

Of course I do admit it could be used in a ethical way.

I was simply stating that is what 'right to work' means, not necessarily how it is used. Of course it is manipulated and used unethically- most things are. But I do not think its intentions are necessarity suspect, as it was initially intended to protect both worker and employer.

Regardless, it really has no bearing on anti-discrimination laws.

[Conan71]

I was simply stating that is what 'right to work' means, not necessarily how it is used. Of course it is manipulated and used unethically- most things are. But I do not think its intentions are necessarity suspect, as it was initially intended to protect both worker and employer.

Regardless, it really has no bearing on anti-discrimination laws.

There was a "Right To Work" law flap that happened after you left Oklahoma, I believe that's the point you and Rico are talking past each other on.  It had to do with allowing "open shops" to help attract more employers to Oklahoma as a non-union haven.

[swake]

You are confusing "At Will" and "Right to Work", "Right to Work" has to do with mandated union membership being prohibited, "At Will" means that a company can fire anyone at any time for any legal reason.

[guido911]

You are confusing "At Will" and "Right to Work", "Right to Work" has to do with mandated union membership being prohibited, "At Will" means that a company can fire anyone at any time for any legal reason.

You are absolutely correct. I was reading azbad's posts on this and also picked up on the incorrect use.

[Rico]

You are confusing "At Will" and "Right to Work", "Right to Work" has to do with mandated union membership being prohibited, "At Will" means that a company can fire anyone at any time for any legal reason.

Thanks Swake.

this is more of what I was talking about.

( any hiring is presumed to be "at will"; that is, the employer is free to discharge individuals "for good cause, or bad cause, or no cause at all," and the employee is equally free to quit, strike, or otherwise cease work.[1])

[azbadpuppy]

You are confusing "At Will" and "Right to Work", "Right to Work" has to do with mandated union membership being prohibited, "At Will" means that a company can fire anyone at any time for any legal reason.

Thanks for the correction. "At Will" was what was meant.