I Was Fired Today, For My Bumperstickers!!!

I say screw them, if they don't like your humor then why do you wan't to work there anyway? I say stay away from anybody who hinders you from being yourself. If you like that bumper sticker, and that represents something that you enjoy, screw what everyone else thinks. At the end of the day, its about you and only you. By the way, I would'nt give much thought to the anonymous reader posts, its just a new way to abuse ATS members and ops.

reply to post by verylowfrequency


I actually clarified it because I stated all those facts in my original post. I was beginning to wonder if ANYONE had read my original post all the way, because people kept posting about parents complaining and stuff, and I thought where are they getting this from??

I also admitted I clearly did not even give my car a THOUGHT because my car has no connection to how I perform my job. I have had that car at six other jobs, most daycares, and not a peep. So yes, I was gobsmacked. So what if I am an idiot who didnt think of her vehicle as something that determines my work value? I thought work determined my work value. But I too have admitted I am grossly naive about the work place, since I have really had little experience outside of childcare work, which is a world of its own.

Thanks for all the povs, I can tell you I appreciate them all. Love all these anonymous comments, I have never seen them before! Thanks for all the good thoughts for my job search, I have a meeting at two with a work counselor, so I am focusing my energies into a positive place for the job hunt.


Too, a small update. I do plan to remove the GOP sticker, and drive my sisters car the first week or so of any new job, so I can gauge my work environment and my coworkers, and see what other peoples cars and stuff is like. I may even make my car into something cool, like a free speech mobile. My neighbor loved that idea!! We'll see, and of course ATS will be the first to know.

Also, I may have a human interest story, but I can assure everyone (I fear for some of yalls hearts and blood pressure!!) that I have no intentions of suing. I was really shocked that first day when I posted. It takes me a while to figure things out, so I am slow, it isnt a crime.

See? I can adapt and learn. I am stubborn, not dumb!!

One more small update. Just so yall know I was raised proper, here is my parents response. I am sure they just never know what to expect with me.

Dad said, serves me right. Mom said, well I TOLD you so!!

reply to post by hotbakedtater


it is all public perception in the work place. i worked at a ford dealership for 11 yrs. it didn't matter what kind of car you drove when you came to work there, but during your employeement, if you purchased another vehicle that you would be driving to work - it had to be a ford. otherwise, they would find a reason to get rid of you. it was all about public perception. the owner & GM thought you were giving a poor message to the general public if you worked at a ford dealership but chose to buy & drive another brand.

Many people do not realize that in most cases, an employer can fire a person for almost any reason, or for no reason at all. So long as they do not do this because of race, religion, disability, etc. they are free to do whatever they wish.

As to the person that wrote the note, well you are an idiot. You obviously lack the intelligence to figure out how to pour pee out of a bottle, with the directions written on the bottom.

To make a "joke" about child molesters in a day care center shows a virtual brain lock. To equate members of one of the major political parties to being child molesters is also pretty stupid.

Frankly, you deserved to be fired, if for no other reason, to wake you up to reality. It is a cold, cruel world out there, and you simply can not behave however you want in front of others, without expecting consequences.

reply to post by enchantress62

Originally posted by enchantress62
Wow! Why don't we just pull the OP out into the street and publicly flogg him/her! Come on ppl this person is obviously young and hasn't learned that freedoms come with a price.

The scary part is she may not have learned the correct lesson here. As she stated, she has a child and has already had one other incident involving her politics at her child's school.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by Anonymous ATS


Anonymous user:

Your rightto speak freely comes with a dutyto accept the consequences.

So why don’t you take a moment of your time, join the regular members here at ATS,
Take your own advise, and accept the consequences of posting a comment like that here!
Good luck.

Oh yes, after reading your responses to other people, you will fail in most jobs. You seem to have an attitude that you are entitled.

Entitled to behave however you wish.

Entitled to express any opinion, at any time, without consequences.

Entitled to whatever you want in this world.

Sorry, but the real world does not work like that. You are free to have any opinion you want, but if you express that opinion, then you must be prepared to accept whatever consequences may happen.

You may choose to behave in any way you want. But, an employer has the right to determine that your behavior is not suitable for their work environment. That is THEIR right.

You are entitled to the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There is however, no guarantee that you will actually have any of those things. You can PURSUE happiness, but may never attain it. I strongly suspect that you will not, because you have such obvious expectations that you are entitled to it.

Six jobs, in such a short period of time. But there is nothing wrong with YOU, right? It is all those nasty employers, they just expect too much from you.

Hate to break it to you, but if you accept an employers money, they are entitled to the best work you are capable of doing. They are entitled to have it done THEIR way. To do any less is to cheat the employer (and yourself, but you wouldn't be capable of seeing that).

TANSTAAFL

That is a very useful expression, one you must learn if you are to succeed in life. It means: "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch."

No matter how much someone tries to tell you that anything is free, they are wrong. There is always a cost. Even breathing requires effort on your part.

Too bad you were taught so much about RIGHTS. But obviously, you were taught very little about RESPONSIBILITY.

Originally posted by hotbakedtater
One more small update. Just so yall know I was raised proper, here is my parents response. I am sure they just never know what to expect with me.

Dad said, serves me right. Mom said, well I TOLD you so!!

I like your parents. I bet they voted for Reagan

I live in Ohio, which is an "At Will" state (meaning employment is at will). One can be fired, for cause, at anytime for anything. No unemployment, nothing. Federally protected classes (based on age, race, religion, etc.) do enjoy some additional protection, but not much. You absolutely can be fired for your bumperstickers, the clothes you wear, the color of your teeth . . . .

reply to post by jsobecky


This incident did not involve my politics. It involved an assault by another student(s) on my son. I am sorry my wording confused you, but I dont recall saying MY politics had to do with it.

reply to post by OldMedic


I am sorry Old Medic, six jobs in which time period? Please clarify. I did not say they were in a short time period. Thats is over my adult working life. One of those jobs I held for fifteen years, raising my OWN kids. I think I deserve to be proud of that, and you should be grateful I did not fob my babies off on strangers and abandon them just to work a "real" job, so I would be less naive than I am today in time.

Most of the above posters are both [snip].
You have a right to your own political views.

You made a reasonable offer to the employer, to remove the sickers or use another car. This is an important legal point, acting in good faith to resolve the dispute.

I would sue the employer, claiming both economic damage, for you gave up another job opportunity to take their job, and emotional damage, being embarrassed and fired for your personal political opinions.

The law on if the employer can fire you will vary from state to state. Your millage may vary. In a lot of states employers can fire you at will.

What may make a legal fulcrum is the employment contract. It is likely that some of the papers you signed in the morning as an agreement regarding employment and employment conditions. For example if one of the papers defined how many days holiday you get, or if you must keep client information confidential. Such a document would be conditions of employment. It is quite likely that the conditions define what notice you must give the employer before quiting or taking personal time off. This would be a contract between you and the employer. If the contract does not give them the right to fire you without cause then you may be able to go to court to enforce the terms of the contract.

So you have three things you can go after them for:

First: Economic damage, the costs to you of taking that job, and the loss of any income that you might have made in an alternative job. Also the costs involved in filing for unemployment after termination. Plus the missing wages in the gap between being fired and when unemployment kicks in. (In Florida that is one week)

Second: Emotional damage. Embarrassment, the method of termination, the way the staff made your bumper sticker a big deal in front of other staff.

Third: If there is a semblance of an employment contract, you may have more leverage if they have not used the method and terms of termination used in the contract.

Forth: You may have employment rights in your state. See a specialist employment lawyer in your state.

I think the LAST two have legal teath and the first two are a lot weaker.

Mod Edit: Courtesy is Mandatory: No Insults Please

[edit on 5-14-2008 by worldwatcher]

This all goes beyond the bumper sticker too

Since you are heading out into the world world now and I have LOTS of experience in it...just so you know..when it comes to where you work, really if you want to work there, you have to go by what they want and fit their mold.

I actually have no problem with this anymore. I used to, but as I have gotten older my rebellious nature has gone away And I really did have one!

I have always worked - since i was 16. But I haven't worked the past 4 years, as I am school and a sahm. I am now in my 30s.

Anyways, I have worked MANY places that had strict dress codes. Meaning, I had to take my facial piercings out and obtain an entirely different wardrobe then I what I would normally wear. I hated it, but I wanted the jobs...so I obliged. I had worked a couple of places and was told that what I was wearing was not appropriate and to not wear it anymore. I obliged. BUT they could have fired me because I was not representing the image they wanted to put out. And that is the key. The image THEY want.

I can tell you understand now...and really, you don't need to have this rehashed over and over GOOD LUCK in your job pursuit

this would be kinda like having your vehicle covered in anti-war / anti-military bumperstickers & going to work at a recruiting office. how do you think that would go over???

Calling the entire GOP "gay old pedophiles" isn't a bit closed-minded and biased?

LOLZ, bumper stickers.

people can be such hypocrits over some of the most pety things.

reply to post by greeneyedleo

Thanks for the advice, GEL. You know, since I struck out trying to get a socalled real job, I have learned from every job have been fired from. I have no problem with a uniform, or dress code, or anything else. I expect the terms to be laid before I commit MY time to the job. I should have known better, but I did not, and my bumpersticker got me fired. Well, up until then(and they had not sent off my criminal background check yet, due to me having to sign them, which I had only done that morning. That meant they had no paperwork on my background, yet I was good enough to give the door code to, and be left alone with the children while my coworker went to lunch.)I was working out just fine, fine enough to perform my duties and the kids loved me, as I actually get down on the floor and play with them, and many child care workers do not do this. I have a grasp of appropriate age behavior, lots of workers dont.

I am so appreciative to have had this thread to work out this situation. it helped, it is QUITE interesting to see the divide in opinions, and the varying opinions at that. I apologize if I seemed snippy before; I have no problem with the opinion and debate on my issue, but when a poster makes things up or propogates false aspects to the situation, then it irks me. But this is a huge thread, and I can see how it could happen.

GEL, I wouldnt trade being a sahm for my boys for anything. But I am seeing that I did myself a big disservice by not getting enough real world experience, and a good work ethic going. Im working on it, itll happen!!

Louisville!! _javascript:icon('')
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I was following this thread with interest ... I live in KY. Actually live in Louisville. With the exception of a few segments, for the most part, the area is not only liberal but uneducated. As can be seen by the daycare woman not even knowing what GOP meant. Most of KY is this way. It's a state populated with democrats and people who are lucky to have a High School eduction. Many don't even have that - as I'm sure the OP will attest to if she's lived here long. In fact, even most of the "conservatives" here are quite liberal. So, the letting go of her wasn't politically motivated.

It was simply a reaction to the word pedophile. The rest of her stickers aren't all that unusual around here, for the few - and I do mean few - folks who have political leanings.

So, kiddo - I'd do what some others have suggested and chalk it up to experience. I'm sure you can find another sticker to cover that rust spot._javascript:icon('')
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reply to post by hotbakedtater



No, I guess it was this statement that made me think that:

I must be off the wall extreme in my views, because I had another incident happen to my child at school, and I took my outrage all the way to the schoolboard.

Btw, you've taken a lot of flak for your actions, but you've hung in here and tried to explain yourself without getting snooty. I admire that.