Rights at Work?

Item 1: Did you read recently of the Michigan company that has decided to only allow nonsmokers to be employees? The company will not just prohibit smoking on the job, but will fire employees who smoke at all, even during their free time and at home. Apparently employees will be tested to see if they smoke.

Item 2: We all know that blogging at work can be a problem, but what about anonymous blogging about work? The Post as an anecdote filled piece.

Usually the blogger has little protection. "In most states," said Gregg M. Lemley, a St. Louis labor lawyer, "if an employer doesn't like what you're talking about, they can simply terminate you."

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E-mail and Internet policies that have been developed were created to deal with improper employee usage during work hours. Very few companies have rules governing employee computer habits outside work.

Is it just me or does it seem like employers are really getting into our privacy?