Legal activities off-hours could cost you your job if you’re not careful
Judging by what’s going on here in Texas, many licensed state workers need to watch what they’re doing when they are out of the office. That includes legal behavior.
There are many examples over the last few years. A nursing instructor lost his job for going on an adult chat site at his home. The state nursing board tried to yank the license of a nurse who pulled a gun on someone she thought was stalking her. Marc Levin of the Texas Public Policy Foundation tells KTRH says if it doesn't impact your job you shouldn't have to worry about the consequences.
“The state should be able to regulate that off duty behavior that has an impact on their ability to carry out the duties of their occupations,” Levin said.
But Levin also feels the state should tell you exactly what you can and cannot do.
“There ought to be a standard, because we all have definitions of what is unsavory behavior,” Levin explained.
Legal analyst Chris Tritico says Big Brother is becoming a big problem.
“Government does not have the right to regulate your behavior at home when you are not violating the law,” Tritico said.
And civil rights attorney Randall Kallinen agrees.
“You have to walk on egg shells your entire life because you’re a nurse, or a plumber, or a doctor? That’s just too much government in your life,” Kallinen said.
Tritico says you can appeal losing your job or license, but that the state has the money to outlast you.
By the way, there are over 500 occupations overseen by state regulators.
