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IBM Sued for Firing Alleged Internet Addict
globring sent us a link to a CNN article covering a trial with a unique defense. James Pacenza, a 58 year old Alabama man, has been fired from his position at IBM for visiting adult sites during working hours. The man is now suing the company for $5 Million, alleging that he is an internet addict. The plaintiff claims he visits these sites as a way of dealing with traumatic stress incurred in the Vietnam War. He claims that while he is addicted to sex and the internet, he never visited adult sites at work. Age-related issues, he says, are the cause of his filing. IBM, on its part, says that Pacenza was warned during a similar incident several months ago. Pacenza denies this as well.
This is one of the most ludicrous cases I've ever heard of, and I've heard of a few (IANAL but I am a law student). There's no way this case is going anywhere. I suppose he feels he must have a chance though and it's probably due to the perception that alcoholism is a 'disease' and that obesity is a 'disability'. Alcoholism is NOT a disease but it can cause them. Obesity is NOT a disability but can be a symptom of one e.g. thyroid glands. By those rationalisms it's not much of a leap to say that having a job on the job isn't a psychological problem. Luckilly, the plaintiff will be pleased to know there's a treatment in the form of Depo-Provera, and no doubt his wife will feel the same way.
Just changing two words: "Allowing employees to visit religous sites may create a hostile work environment and sets you up for a lawsuit from other employees who might see it and be offended. You may be able to get away with it when it's you and a couple of buddies starting up, but when your profits are in the billions, you're a giant stack of cash waiting for the first person to claim religous harassment."
Engineering is the art of compromise.
How I wish I had points to mod that up.
Oh, beakerMeep. I remember you from that party way back when. Everyone knows beakerMeep, right? Also, this was a very obvious self reply. Wake up and smell the karma whoring, mods.
-1 overrated isn't the same thing as "I disagree".