Need help - our new employee got arrested a week ago

[OldCurlyWolf]

Texas is a right to work! But also idk what ur policy is but a lot of companies have where if they employee admits they have a problem with drugs on their own then they cant be fired and the company usually helps. But if you give her a drug test and she fails then you are good to go. Recommend a drug test if you want to play it safe

Pretty sure we are at will, not right to work.

Texas is both.
At will means they can let you go for any reason, but it has to be for cause to deny unemployment.
Right to work means a union cannot force you to join if they are at the same employer.

[Mxrdad]

I hear there's been a run on crayons, coloring books and play-doh. Trump #1 salesman of these items and Obama was #1 gun salesman.

[WildBill]

It appears that it would be a good idea for the OP's company to perform background checks and drug screening prior to hiring new employees.

[TreyHouston]

Now I'm also concerned about possible retribution for termination. She has a boyfriend, and possibly other friends I don't know about.

"Ms whoever. I spent over an hour on the phone with HR. I dont know how they found out. I wanted to keep you, you seem like a great employee. I tried but this was NOT my call. I'm sorry. Here is the number for HR."
I have played the "innocent" one a few times. THATS WHAT HR is for! let them deal with it and dont throw anyones name under the buss, FYI.

[Texas_Blaze]

The least you speak the better when terminating. Even though at-will employment is the law in Texas, law suits occur. Age, race, sexism are all accusations that have been levyied against the corporation for which I work. Best to have documentation of corporate policy violations, even in at-will states.

[JustSomeOldGuy]

That's fine, but she only worked 2 days so far. We just hired her last week. So, we can't really call it a RIF.

Something to add to your policies/employee handbook is a probationary period for new hires. Spell out that during that period, the employee can be released from employment at any time without showing cause. As in "It's just not working out, we're going to have to let you go." Over 30+ years, I've had to use this one twice for individuals that just couldn't assimilate the software and work procedures necessary for the operation of my department.

[ml1209]

Thanks for all the input, but she is gone as of this morning. I felt bad. I know she needed this job. Basically a young woman with low self-esteem who likes to hang out with "bad boys".

[Flightmare]

Thanks for all the input, but she is gone as of this morning. I felt bad. I know she needed this job. Basically a young woman with low self-esteem who likes to hang out with "bad boys".

Hopefully she soon learns that actions have consequences. I'm sure everyone in here has learned that lesson at some point in their lives.

[Tass]

Soooooo....you hiring?

[Abraham]

Tass as in the Russian newspaper?

[n5wd]

Arrested, or convicted?
Are you under the federal 'drug free workplace' initiative?
Do your terms of employment require the employee to reports arrests/convictions?
Texas is an 'at will' employment state, so unless you have a contract with her in place, you can release her from employment for any reason/no reason.

New assistant. 25-yo woman who looks 35.

hmmm. Wonder if the above and the drug use are related...

It's been my observation (quite a number of years in EMS) that drug use and apparent age are inversely proportional!

[Liberty]

Okay I just got off the phone with the LE agency who arrested her. They said she has a lengthy arrest record with them alone for the last 7 years. Some of the arrests are for driving without a license, criminal mischief, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and assault with bodily injury. Wow.

And the drug she was arrested for a few days ago is in the penalty group of hard drugs - cocaine, heroin, meth, etc.

What the heck is aggravated assault with a deadly weapon?

Sounds like a big mistake was made in hiring her.

[Tass]

Tass as in the Russian newspaper?

Tass, as in "You are such a Smar-Tass" Courtesy of my father years ago.