Fired: Right or Wrong?

[Engyo]

Fla. town employee fired over porn actress wife

By BRIAN SKOLOFF Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press
July 23, 2009, 3:30PM

The mayor of a small southwest Florida town on Thursday defended the town council's decision to fire its city manager after officials learned his wife is an adult film actress.

Mayor Larry Kiker insisted that Scott Janke's termination had nothing to do with his spouse's job, that the town was merely trying to maintain order.

"What we were addressing was a situation where we weren't going to be able to govern the town with all the disruption and interruption," Kiker said.

The plan appears to have backfired.

"I've done over 30 interviews (with media) ... I've gotten hundreds of e-mails, we're getting threatened," Kiker said. "Nobody is getting any work done around here."

Still, Kiker insisted that Janke wasn't fired because of his wife's job.

"We didn't fire him because his wife was a porn star," Kiker griped, adding that the decision wasn't a "knee-jerk reaction."

However, the mayor also noted: "It was not his job performance. We all liked Scott ... He's a good guy."

balance of article at: Fla. town employee fired over porn actress wife | National news | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

 

[Duck]

If it wasn't his job performance, and nothing to do with his spouse's job, what exactly was the town doing trying to "maintain order?" What exactly was causing "disruption and interruption" that caused his firing? Perhaps it was outmoded, patriarchal, and sexist reactions to her profession?

From the article "Councilman Tom Babcock said at a council meeting Wednesday that Janke was fired because his wife's profession brought an inaccurate image to Fort Myers Beach, the News-Press of Fort Myers reported."

So, how was he NOT fired for his wife's profession if "his wife's profession brought an inaccurate image" to the town?

 

[Magic Man]

That's a whole bunch of BS. Ridiculous.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

From the article "Councilman Tom Babcock said at a council meeting Wednesday that Janke was fired because his wife's profession brought an inaccurate image to Fort Myers Beach, the News-Press of Fort Myers reported."

What, they don't screw in Fort Meyers?

 

[tumbleweed41]

What, they don't screw in Fort Meyers?

Wow, hope I wasn't breaking the law when I was there!!!

 

[Wandered Off]

My understanding is that the employment agreement specifically states he can be terminated without cause, so the council is within its rights to do so. Of course, that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do, and it's definitely wrong IMO.

 

[tumbleweed41]

I other words, he can't sue for wrongful termination, but the City Government is full of self righteous idiots.

 

[cardero]

However, the mayor also noted: "It was not his job performance. We all liked Scott ... He's a good guy."

then added "and his wife's performances weren't bad either".

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

You cant put unfair conditions in contracts in the UK
Here the GUY could sue.

 

[monta]

My understanding is that the employment agreement specifically states he can be terminated without cause, so the council is within its rights to do so. Of course, that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do, and it's definitely wrong IMO.

But surely even in the states a contract can't protect you from violating someones rights. You couldn't for example have a contract that forfeited your right to sue if you are sexually harassed by an employer, or could you?