International Human Rights Day 12/10/08

KSR6450

Has anyone else heard about the gay community staging a 'call in gay day' tomorrow? Am I just gullible?

On December 10, 2008 the gay community will take a historic stance against hatred by donating love to a variety of different causes.

[url]http://daywithoutagay.org/[/url]

Paul in Cannon Beach

I read something about it online yesterday. Employees will be encouraged to "call in gay" instead of coming to work.

So are they saying being gay is an illness?

KSR6450

That question was posed on the website's FAQ page and here is the response....makes me miss the days when I worked in the beauty industry!

Are you implying that "gay" is equivolent to "sick?"

Whoa! NO! It's just that "gay" rhymes with "day" so it was a cute and clever way to get you involved. HAHA! Now you're hooked! You're beautiful, very not sick, and super wonderful. Help us spread service however you feel comfortable, SWEET THING!

sonny

Haven't heard anything about it. . will have to wait til tomorrow and see if people are absent. I am guess not, around here.

Paul in Cannon Beach

I am not sure a movement can be successful if their strategy sounds like something out of an episode of "the Office".

Alan King

You definitely aren't gullible.

Follow this link for more information and tips on how to handle employees who do call in:

[link:employmentlawpost.com/hrnews/2008/12/09/day-without-a-gay-nationwide-protest-may-result-in-work-shortage/|December 10 protest]

Alan King
Editorial Director
M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC

KSR6450

One reason I found it so difficult to believe was due to the absurdity of the website, especially the FAQ page. It does sound like something Michael Scott would come up with...

I don't foresee any of our ee's calling in 'gay' but you just never know. Thanks for the link x:D

Paul in Cannon Beach

From the Hero blog "So what should you do if employees “call in gay” tomorrow? Can you tell them they’re fired if they don’t show up? You should think twice before doing that. Remember that many state laws, including California’s, prohibit employers from discriminating against employees because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or their association with a homosexual person."

What would firing an employee for not showing up have to do with their actual or percieved orientation? It would be an attendance issue. Calling in gay makes no sense. Obviously people come to work day in and day out whether they are gay or not.

With our economy on the verge of collapse, a stunt like this is reckless and irresponsible and should be roundly condemned.

KSR6450

The weak economy and how this was not a wise move at this time was also addressed on their website.

Any of the proposed 'call in' days to me is a waste. They prove nothing. I agree with your assessment that it should be handled as an attendance issue.

I honestly didn't believe this was a 'real' proposal. It will be interesting to see what results, if any, come about.

Paul in Cannon Beach

What will result? Lawsuits. Maybe that was the point from the start.

KSR6450

Paul,
Did you forget to take your optimism pill this morning? x:-)

Paul in Cannon Beach

Is it showing? This is a sensitive issue for me. I am generally conservative and traditional in my approach towards this issue. I am pro-domestic partnerships but against "gay marriage". For that, I am told I am hateful and ignorant.

Maybe I'll call in ignorant tomorrow.

KSR6450

It is a sensitive issue for everyone. I feel the same way you do and no one has ever called me hateful or ignorant. Those people who did call you that were showing THEIR intolerance.

If calling in ignorant is an option then I would do it everyday! Or at least the half of the time I have no clue what I am doing.

Paul in Cannon Beach

Just to be clear, no one has ever actually called me hateful. But I hear my viewpoints and beliefs described as hateful in the media.

KSR6450

Where I have a problem is with the people who do not tolerate different opinions.There is no 'one right answer' to everything. Often the media plays on the divisiveness of these issues - one reason I don't watch the news anymore.

I noticed you didn't say no one has ever actually called you 'ignorant'... x0:)

Paul in Cannon Beach

I called myself ignorant. Actually I prefer the term "simple".

KSR6450

Simple Jack.

Hope everyone enjoys their day off tomorrow.

ACU Frank

See you all Thursday!

joannie

Well, we didn't have anyone call in today. Of course, I really didn't expect it, here in conservative, south central Oklahoma.

KSR6450

No one here either. Especially not in Banking in the Conservative South!

Dutch2

Same in ... very conservative bank in central MO

ACU Frank

Three here.

KSR6450

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 12-10-08 AT 04:21PM (CST)[/font][br][br]You had three call in? Really? Wow.

Edit: Sorry, you don't know that I have a warped sense of humor - I knew what you meant. ;;)

Paul in Cannon Beach

Did they actually call in "gay"? Not that there is anything wrong with that...

KSR6450

Jerry,
I believe Frank was commenting that he was the third Conservative Bank to chime in and I was just giving him a difficult time...

ACU Frank

Actually, the opposite. We had three people call in. Two were quite apologetic about it, really. The other may have actually been sick - he's still off today.

I will talk with them about how they could have handled their call-off differently. I'm a supporter of their "cause", but I have a business to run. Those employees who have discussed such matters with me know I will work with them on things like this. I don't have a problem with them taking the day off to attend the local rally, be with fellow activists, etc... But they know I appreciate a little advanced notice.

KSR6450

I was wrong. You may need to mark the date on your calendar, since this rarely happens. Not that I am rarely wrong, I just rarely admit it x0:)

I am honestly surprised that people called in. I guess it just goes against my work ethic to call in sick (or gay, or purple) if I am not sick. How large is your Credit Union and were these front line employees - who are, in my opinion, harder to cover for when they are out?

While I have several gay family members and I support them any way I can, I don't believe this was the best way to get attention for their cause.

ACU Frank

Just one was a front line employee... being a Wednesday, it was a lot easier to handle that it would have been on Monday, Friday or Saturday. We have about 65 employees altogether, at 5 branches plus HQ.

KSR6450

Don't even mention Saturday hours - we have been able to avoid those here. Since I will work in the branch when they get in a bind, it irks me when people abuse time off - someone has to cover for them. With only 65 employees I am guessing you don't have floaters either?

I just picked myself up off the floor from your comment in another thread. To quote a great movie: "INCONCEIVABLE" x:D

ACU Frank

I clearly was not myself when I posted that.

NaeNae55

Ok, I can't stand it. What other thread?