No, I'm not referring to the disastrous encounter in Waco, Texas in April of 1993, but rather about a company in Okemos, Michigan. Weyco, Inc. sells group insurance products and acts as a third-party administrator of health plans.

What makes Weyco unique is that 71-year-old founder and sole owner Howard Weyers has decided that his employees will be not only drug and alcohol free on the job, but tobacco free as well, not just on the job but completely, even on their own time. He has instituted random carbon monoxide breath testing to detect tobacco use, and if the company has reason to suspect tobacco use, they will require an immediate test. A refusal to submit to a drug, alcohol and/or smoking test at the Company's request will result in termination of employment.

All employees are required to state in writing their intentions regarding continuing their employment as a non-smoker. 

Suspicion of possession of prohibited substances will be grounds for a search of "items brought onto Company property (e.g. purses, desks, briefcases, vehicles, etc.).  For this reason, if there is something that an employee wishes to remain private, he/she should not bring it on to Company property."

An employee undergoing prescribed medical treatment with any drug, which may alter his/her physical or mental ability, must provide the Company with medical certification from the prescribing physician indicating that the employee is able to safely and adequately perform his/her job duties. Any medication taken on Company time or premises must be stored in the original prescription bottle.

Weyers is not through forcing his employees into what he considers a healthy lifestyle. He's targeting overweight employees next:

"We have to work on eating habits and getting people to exercise. But if you're obese, you're (legally) protected," Weyers said. He has brought in an eating disorder therapist to speak to workers, provided eating coaches, created a point system for employees to earn health-related $100 bonuses and plans to offer $45 vouchers for health club memberships.

You might be thinking that Weyers is pretty tyrannical as an employer. Personally, I wouldn't work for him even if I were a non-smoking, non-drinking health nut. As an employee, I expect my performance to be judged, but not my private habits. An employer buys services, not slaves. I consider Weyers' attitude just plain stupid. Does that mean I think he should be stopped? Should he be sued on some grounds... perhaps privacy? Not at all.

No matter how oppressive or ignorant Weyer's demands are, he has a right to make them... it's his company to do with as he wishes. If he makes silly demands on his employees he will lose some (he has) and his business may suffer. Weyco's employees have an equal right to tell him to "take this job and shove it".

Both sides of the Weyco employment situation are good examples of freedom in action. Employment must be a mutually acceptable venture for both the employer and each employee. My own view of my relationship with an employer has always been that I could be canned at any time, for any reason... or for no reason at all. That employer right is countered by an equal right of mine to quit at any time, again for any reason or none at all. The only way we should continue that relationship is for both of us to believe it is to our own advantage. When it isn't mutually beneficial, the relationship should be ended.

Ridiculous as I think Weyer's demands are, they do provide a crystal-clear, if extreme, example of freedom. Freedom is often described as being able to say NO. Some in America believe that we have some sort of right to a job. We do not, any more than an employer has a right to an employee.

I've known a lot of employees who hated their jobs or their employer, but who stayed right where they were, often complaining continually. I've never been able to do that, and haven't had much respect for those who can. Life is just too short to put up with such a situation when there are other opportunities available. I hope Weyco employees have enough courage to just walk away and find a job with an employer who isn't so dictatorial. It IS what Weyer deserves.

For more on Weyco's policies and reasons, see this