Last week, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that a Utah smoothie shop was charging liberal customers an extra dollar for their blended beverages, when a commenter chimed in, saying that his company fired two employees because they were Obama supporters.
The Trib, doing their part to follow up on things that are interesting/insane, tracked the commenter down, noting his comment in a new story:
“Love it. We had to let two employees go to cover new Obongocare [sic] costs and increased taxes,” [Terry Lee, owner of Terry Lee Forensics] wrote. “Found two Obongo supporters and gave them the news yesterday. They wanted the idiot in the Whitehouse [sic], they reap the benefits.”
Contacted by The Tribune Thursday, Lee said he picked the two employees in large part on the basis of their politics.
“They were Obama supporters. We just knew they were,” Lee said. “I implied that sort of tongue and cheek [in the comments section] but there were other issues, too. They were not top performers.”
Interestingly enough, there’s nothing in either Federal or Utah law that prohibits firings based on one’s political preferences, unless the person in question is a government employee.
Although other states do prohibit such firings based on local statutes, Lauren Scholnick, a Salt Lake City labor and employment attorney, said that in Utah “there isn’t a clear statute that prohibits someone from firing someone based on their political views in private employment.”
According to the Utah Labor Commission website, “employment in Utah is generally ‘at-will.’ This means that an employer can fire an at-will employee without cause and without notice.”
I get firing someone as a result of poor performance. But honestly, I don’t understand how one can justifiably fire someone for their political affiliation, particularly during a poor economy, then brag about it in a public forum. Political views aside, that’s insane—particularly when it may not have been necessary. Again, from the Trib:
He said that in the past couple of years he has had to cut costs as his business has slowed. But he said his accountant recently told him that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, had raised his company’s taxes and operating costs. Asked to detail those costs, Lee deferred to his accountant, who could not be reached for comment. Obamacare mandates that only businesses with more than 50 employees be required to insure full-time employees or face penalties.
That takes some balls, Terry Lee. Way to be a job creator.
This article appears in Jan 17-23, 2013.
I know many people who work for Pima county elections in both patries. You post a worthless link to someones conspiracy theory blog. you sir/madam are full of crap.
*and independents
I hope his business really slows down! Wait, it won’t it’s in Salt Lake.
I find no issue with this man’s choices in how he runs his business — he isn’t breaking any laws. But, of course, this is a generally free market — consumers can choose to patronize his competitors (I certainly would) if they find his politics (or prices) unsatisfactory.
Given that he *is* in Utah, which voted almost 75/25 for Romney, these public statements probably help his business more than hurt it.
O.K., Dredd. What claim is false? What is mere conspiracy theory as opposed to conspiracy fact? Interesting to see blanket dismissal with no specifics. It is the same quality of argument that Pima County often uses in its lame attempts to exonerate itself from its actions.
well I am no fan of Obama ,but I deeply stand against anything that is right from wrong. What that employer has done is violate the Prohibited Personal Practice. (1) discriminate against an employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicapping condition, marital status, or political affiliation.
(10) discriminate based on personal conduct which is not job-related and does not adversely affect the on-the-job performance of an employee, applicant, or others. Prepare for a lawsuit.
There is a restaurant out where I live on the West side (near Tucson Estates) who harasses me when I want to stop in an eat,simply because I supported President Obama.Believe me I tell everyone that will listen about the shoddy treatment.They never complained my money was no good.
Student01, please post the name of the restaurant. BS is BS and if people want to provide a service for everyone, they can either make it political neutral or we can go elsewhere.
Its only fitting , YOU voted for the TAX, you get to suffer the consequences. Thats called, Karma.
It’s amazing to me that anyone who supported Obama was actually working.
“At-will” employment. I love that. Both have the same rights, but one has decidedly more in the way of resources. But that’s how they roll. Take a noble intent, and pervert it. They do it with everything they touch. How can anyone consider a lack of personal honor a virtue?
Catsskinner, and it’s also amazing too me how there are so many people in the state of Arizona, willing too exercise the freedom of the first amendment right for the sole purpose of confirming their stupidity.
Great idea for all businesses experiencing issues due to Obamacare and other outrageous taxes due to the foolish Liberals — I admit when I see a vehicle with an Obama sticker I think SO much less of that person
Lisa, when I see a Romney sticker, I think pretty much the same thing AND, I’m relieved, knowing we dodged a bullet.
good, i would have fired them too!
When i was building homes i fired a rightwing talk radio type and used subs that were not tainted with racism. The negitive vibes…us vs. them stuff just wore me out.Chem trails…the guy was worried about clouds rather than concrete pours!
Loud chorus here and it’s just a lot of trodding on sour grapes. Well, News flash: The VOTE in the election was louder than you. The PEOPLE made a free (from extortion) choice. I am disgusted that there are people who would approve of political extortion using voters jobs. BTW, There would be the same caterwauling and sour grapes from the same crowd if the shoe were on the other foot and THEY were getting fired for voting the opposite party to the boss’s ….only they would be going on about how unfair THAT is – and in that case they would be right.
That’s whats wrong with this country…….way to much hate.
Sounts like the old Soviet Union where you could be come a non-person merely for your beliefs. If the repugnants gain control what we will end up with is a system of patronage, one were beliefs are more important then competence.
What a load. Not only do I mean the topic of this article, but a lot of the ignorant commentary which accompanies it. A lot of whiny Teabagging idiocy. Sad. Just because the better candidate won people feel they gotta pick on those who had enough sense to choose the lesser of two evils. Romney supporters are blind morons who do not understand this country would’ve been giving up a lot more than the loss of Obamacare if they had actually succeeded with voting in this short-sighted corporate raider. The funny part is a lot of you people are probably part of the 47% he so obviously didn’t give a shit about. Romney supporters, besides the uber wealthy, are deaf, dumb & blind to the damage he would’ve inflicted on this country. Obama is not perfect, no politician is, but at least he actually acts as if he cares where this country’s going; Romney couldn’t even fake that. What a bunch of pathetic people the Romney supporters are.
Lisa Andrews, just how is a business with 9 employees going to have “issues due to Obamacare?”
Be careful what you wish for!!!!!
“They wanted the idiot in the Whitehouse [sic], they reap the benefits.”
I like this guys thinking, perhaps we can keep this thought process rolling and let reality sink into the Obuma supporters…
I see a lot of whining about taxes, but those who do rarely demonstrate understanding of what those taxes are for, or do. In the case of Obamacare, it’s an investment into lowering health care costs. But talking about why that may or may not work would be substantive discussion. Can’t have that.
This may be a problem…some how Obama is now in office even
though in his own words he doe not pass the “natural born
citizen” constitutional requirement.
Since the people voted him in twice (assume a true cast/count),
Obama should take a positive step and pass a new law ( or a
constitutional change) to delete “natural born citizen” and
replace with “citizen” and/or “naturlized citizen”….This will
put the birther issue to bed one and for all.
FrankHenry’s (sly?) of 01/22/2013 at 12:24 PM comment too, too funny…
and so it goes…
and “they” (see The Right) are the ones who pride themselves on patriotism. PATHETIC!
So many typos…
I find this befitting somebody must be held accountable for the re-election of the tyrant.
To fire those and then proudly publicize the fact shows a low degree of maturity. but the two employeed are far better off no longer having to work for such a jerk.
Good for him—-one guy who’s not intimidated by this regime!!!! These idiots fell for Obobo lying rhetoric hook, line and sinker–and they got hooked big time!!! Maybe they should request an audience with the self-anointed king to see what he can do for them!!!!