!
[ QUOTE ]
Also damaged, lost, or stolen equipment is for the insurance companies, and it is definitely unacceptable to "fine" anyone for such things.
[/ QUOTE ]
Agreed, except for the "damaged." Damage from use is not covered by many, if any, insurance companies.
That begs the question, why did the equipment get damaged? Was it normal wear and tear? Or was it negligence on the part of the employee.
Quite frankly if after training and teaching and setting policy to make sure that stuff is not negligently damaged and an employee fails to follow the proper procedures or precautions then why shouldn't the employer be entitled to recover the losses?
If an employee understands that you don't toss the chainsaw from the tree or they'll be buying a new one guess what?! the chainsaws last a whole lot longer!
Nothing ticks me off more than employees who think they can do anything they want and they won't be held accountable.
And of course our wonderful government makes that a reality for "opressed the working man."
"Oh you got fired for showing up 4 hours late? Don't worry here is your unemployment check."
And employer gets to pay higher unemployment tax rates.
Then there is employee who refuses to wear the PPE he is issued, is constantly reminded to wear it, and once again fails to wear it and ends up getting injured! Osha shows up, fines the employer and workers comp pays the injured party.
And then the employer's WC rates go up.
Yep, it's a great thing when employees don't have to answer for not following the rules and for being careless!
Of course, if employers can't recover those costs due to employee negligence then they can <u>TRY</u> to fire them.
After the wrongful dismissal suit sucks the company dry of course the employer will end up needing to find a new employee anyway. Or even end up looking for a job for themselves.
Hold employees acountable as much as society tries to hold employers accountable and see if things don't get better all around!
