so ya think if ABC fired her, they wouldn't tell the

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If they don't and ask them to pay back the no smoking benefit $$ I wonder how far they can go back?

Sara

39 Whirlpool workers suspended over smoking lies

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AP) -- Smoking can be hazardous to your health, and it's turning into a bad career move, too.
A Whirlpool Corp. factory in Evansville, Indiana, has suspended 39 workers who signed insurance paperwork claiming they don't use tobacco and then were seen smoking or chewing tobacco on company property. Now, some could be fired for lying, company spokeswoman Debby Castrale said.
As annual health care premiums rise more than 10 percent a year, many companies are trying to rein in costs by encouraging healthy living.
"I can't think of a client of ours who has not shifted their focus to controlling the cost of their health care plan," said Indianapolis, Indiana, benefits lawyer Mike Paton.
Some employers have developed wellness programs to motivate employees, while others ask employees to state on benefits forms whether they use tobacco.
Whirlpool, based in Benton Harbor, Michigan, uses financial incentives to encourage U.S. workers and their dependents to abstain from tobacco use, spokeswoman Jill Saletta said. The specifics vary according to location.
In Evansville, the 1,500-employee factory charges tobacco users an extra $500 in annual health insurance premiums. The refrigerator factory has levied the extra premium since 1996, and it depends on employees to honestly fill out forms. It doesn't mandate blood tests to detect nicotine or trail employees outside work, Castrale said.
Management suspended the 39 employees Friday after they were spotted using either chewing tobacco on company property or taking a drag in one of the factory's dozen shelters for outdoor smoking, Castrale said.
"It's definitely not something we wanted to do," she said. "It's unpleasant."
The employees were suspended without pay, and they'll present their case at "fact-finding" meetings before management determines their fate. Whirlpool had to recall some laid-off workers to keep production running due to the suspensions.
A 2007 national survey showed that 16 percent of all large employers -- those with 20,000 or more employees -- adjust health care premium contributions according to the worker's smoking status, according to the human resources consulting firm Mercer.
The federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act limits the changes an employer can make to a health premium because of a worker's unhealthy habits. But it doesn't set parameters on punishment if an employee lies about his or her habit, Paton said.
Lewis Maltby, president of the National Workrights Institute, which advocates for employee privacy, sees no problem with employers trying to curb smoking. But he worries that the trend of cracking down on employees' unhealthy behavior is extending beyond tobacco use.
"We shouldn't have to give employers complete control over our private life so they can save a few dollars on medical care," he said.

the last week in November. She had called in sick 2 days before, and the assistant manager who fired her said they knew she had called, but they were firing her for a "no call, no show." The truth is my daughter worked in lay-away, which has been discontinued at Walmart, and they had no place for her in another department.

She had loved working there and was totally crushed when they fired her. A month before Christmas . . . what a nice surprise!

I wouldn't, either. I have a 4-year-old daughter who knows why I wear a bra and understands she will one day when she's a young woman. I'm sure the girls who do have bras so young are a little heavier, which brings on earlier development. I can understand that then. When we walk in a store, she loves to look at all the pretty pink pajamas and clothes, but she knows she can only look. I'll say maybe Santa will bring her something, but I won't allow her to beg me for something. My boys don't, either. My husband and I tell them before going to the store exactly what we are getting and that's it. I think 5 is too young for a bra. Same thing for pierced earrings, not until she's old enough to understand them and how to take care of them. This is a gimmie-gimmie world, but it's up to us parents.

While you may know these boys like they were your own, what if they have 'friends' that show up with other ideas? Also, what about her reputation? I know times have 'changed' but having a reputation to be proud of as your daughter gets older is definitely something that has not changed. I wish you the best with this.

Plus, it sounds like people will know since you know the bus driver. You just never know who will be lurking. I'm sorry, but I trust no one. It is worth it to pay a neighbor or someone else until the child is at least a teenager. Sorry, but my daughter is in 3rd grade, she'll be 9 in January, and I would not leave her here for an hour by herself especially if the bus driver knew it. JMO.

rather be safe than sorry. I have a third grader as well and there is no way I would let him stay home alone. He will be nine in March. I don't even leave him home alone to run to the store, which is 10 minutes away. We live in the country, but it wouldn't matter where I lived. Things happen so fast and you just never know. It isn't just about not trusting your child, but trusting others as well. What if a solicter was walking up to the house at the same time as your child? What if someone was breaking into your house as your child walked through the door (this actually happened to my neighbors! The boy was 14 and scared out of his mind. He walked into the house and ran out when he realized what was happening.)

I also have a 19, 17, almost 9 and 7 year old. I think my oldest was around 13 when I first let him stay home alone, but it was for short periods of time and we went over so many things. What to do in case of a fire, answering the door and phone, etc.