Legal Question in Employment Law in Florida

Weed on the job.......

I have been off drugs for 15 years. I take my sobriety very serious. I have excellent work ethics and take every job task serious as though I was doing it for my own business. The GM has depended on me for a variety of task including overseeing other departments heck my wife and I actually live on property as on-site managers to help the GM even more. I have been approached by 2 co-workers about 3 days apart one is my Asst. GM and the other a regular maintanence guy if I wanted to get high on some weed. One wanted me to buy some from him on the job. Of course I informed them both

again that I don't get high on any drug anymore and that i didnt appreciate then asking. I talked to my GM about it and he told me to just laugh it off. Now when I make an off the cuff comment my GM tells me to ''lay the pipe down'' or I'll have what he is smoking. I dont believe that this is the proper way of handling this, he at one time fired a worker for the same thing but isnt firing them. What can I do about this?


Asked on 1/28/09, 4:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Hunter Chamberlin Chamberlin Butler & Crowe, P.A.

Re: Weed on the job.......

You may have recourse. The law prohibits creating a "hostile work environment." If its gets so bad that you feel that you have no choice but to resign, that could be considered a constructive discharge, which may give you grounds for a cause of action.

However, the basis of the hostility is that of a recovering addict. (Congratulations on your sobriety.) That is not a protected class like race, religion, or gender, which undermines your case.

I would be happy to discuss this with you in greater depth if you would like. Feel free to contact me at your convenience.

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Answered on 1/28/09, 4:55 pm


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