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"YOUR WEEKEND'S YOURS? MAYBE NOT!"

Dear Kathryn:

Ten years of dedication is about to go up in smoke due to my employer's fascination with youth. For years, I've been a salaried employee working, on average, ten to twelve hours daily. Last month my employers told me that they didn't like my working five ten-hour days. Instead, they've shortened my weekdays to eight hours and ordered me to come in on Saturdays. Kathryn, I'm fifty-five years old and Saturdays are jammed with yard work. It's the only day I have to show my family that I'm truly alive and not just a vision.

I told my boss no way could I work Saturdays and reminded him that I've been getting my work accomplished just fine pulling my ten hour days. I also do the one thing I love on Saturdays and that's rehearse our church choir.

My boss today sent a memo saying "work Saturdays or get a new job. " He said the management team has concluded that any work done after eight hours is less productive as the worker's energy level is shot. The most efficient, productive work would be best done on Saturdays. The reality is, that of the eighteen hires that were done this year, all were under thirty, high energy and attractive. I think he's using this as wedge to move me out.

Between family and church commitments on Saturday, and the fact I think he's looking for a reason to fire me, I think I've a legitimate gripe. Next thing they'll be telling me I have to work seven days. What's your take on this? I'm enraged.

RALPH T., Woodstock, CT

Dear Ralph:

After ten years of service, it's clear why the smoke is pouring from your ears. I hate to admit that your suspicion regarding a looming termination looks mighty realistic, but your employer's insistence on the weekend work smells fishy. The reality is however, your boss can make Saturday mandatory, unless you've a religious restriction. You can't be forced to work seven days according to CT State Law and Attorney Henry Zaccardi of Shipman & Goodwin. If you balk at working Saturdays due to your religious obligations, your employer could just as easily make Sundays mandatory. For details on this, check out CT State Statute Section 53-303e.

My suggestion is this--work the Saturdays and start job hunting. I think that you're right--your employer's looking for an excuse to lose you off their payroll and if this ploy doesn't work, they'll dream up something else.

Dear Kathryn:

Dear Kathryn: Some recreational pot-smoking a few years back is keeping me from a good job. I was a young, twenty-two year old and had been offered a good truck-driving job with a major Northeast trucking company. I got the job offer but failed the drug test so the offer went up in smoke (no pun intended.) I've tamed my habits since then and have a pretty good track record so decided to apply again. The application questioned me as to whether I had applied to the company previously and I checked yes. The human resource person told me a week later that I was not being considered for employment due to my previous drug test failure. I think this stinks. Don't I have some kind of protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act? My wife thought that if you are no longer using drugs that the ADA would protect substance abusers? Can I be unemployable by this big company forever?

RAY T., Braintree, MA

Dear Ray:

I had serious doubts whether recreational pot smoking would qualify you under the ADA law, however wanted the correct legal word on this, and consulted Labor Dept Head, Attorney Brian Clemow of Shipman & Goodwin. Brian says he agrees, that a reformed recreational pot smoking applicant would most likely not qualify under the ADA rules. The ADA generally protects substance abusers who had serious habits, entered rehab and are now considered "reformed". We don't think you'll qualify.