I work in a small office for a small business in Florida. Workers complained about an Asian woman microwaving fish because of the odor. It’s her favorite food and she comes from a different culture- she doesn’t see it as offensive. She never signed or read an HR Manual. I did, and there’s no food odor policy. The complainers told the VP, who told her to stop cooking and eating fish. She obeyed. What does the law say about this, especially if she refused and got fired?
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6 comments to Can An Employer Ban Microwaving Fish? |
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the law is nor for nor against this type of policy, after all its just food. If the smell is generating complaints, the employer can stop certain food from being microwaved. Our employer stopped popcorn. (everyone loves popcorn) but when burnt….. well u know
It was causing a distraction and displeasure of the other employees. Nothing has to be about law and policies. What boss did was not illegal and thus allowable.
The odor was bothering the other employees, so as the boss had to act and told her to stop. She can find something else to eat.
(If there is nothing against it in policy or law and its not mentioned in law or policy it can be done)
Florida is an employee at will state. That means that the employee can leave without notice, and the employer can fire without notice. Unless there is an employment contract.
It’s their property, it’s their microwave, it’s their rules.
I’ll bet she was really stinking up the place.
well, there is no policy so technically she can continue to cook her fish. i don’t think there is a law that will not allow an employee to prepare a food just because of odor. im sure some of us might smell when we do our business in the restroom but no law tells us we can’t use it at that office!
It’s their microwave…yeah
I don’t think they can fire her for it, but they can say how their property can and can’t be used.
Here’s the thing: I love popcorn. Whether it’s my favorite of from a different culture is moot. Popcorn has been banned in our department because people can’t stand the popcorn smell. Personally, I love employment way more than popcorn. But honestly, I wouldn’t have thought to open the HR manual to consult company policy on my rights to stink out my coworkers that I really want to maintain a good healthy relationship with if I want to do my job well. Where did you even begin to look for something like that?
She did the right thing. Sometimes you have to pick your battles and adapt for the greater good. Sometimes you have to fight for your right to party. You got know when to hold them. Know when to fold them. Not only that, but you need to know when to walk away, and additionally, know when to run. And whatever you do, you don’t want to count your money when your still sitting right there at the table. At the end of the day, you’ll realize that there will be adequate time to count it when the day is done.