Knives banned on the job

[zignal_zero]

It's called common since......

Having a job is much better than not having one these days..

Being unemployed isn't very fun and yeah the bills still have to get paid and people still have to eat.

Well. You be you, ill be me. Personally, I'd jump off a cliff before I'd trade my self respect for a paycheck by "wearing a polka dotted dress to work". But hey, if its working for ya.

I've carried guns and knives, my whole life. This was long before I had a permit. Did I end up in jail? Nope, ended up going there to drop off others though. I even told an agency that, during a poly - said I carried guns long before I had a permit, wow they cared soooo much that they offered me a job.

I was served with a protective injunction (temporary, it was dropped when it was found to be based on BS) it said I was not allowed to have any guns..... I was strapped up when I signed it

You can call it "common sense" (and by doing so imply I have none) but study the levels of compliance of our founding fathers and ask yourself what they would call it. Whatever, I know these words fall on deaf ears. If I was a law maker or your employer I'm sure you'd listen though and be ready to jump through whatever hoops I demanded.

 

[TOM1960]

You don't have to like it, but you're on your employers quarter you dance to his rules. When you win the lotto or start your own company you can carry whatever you want. It's tough enough to find a job in a down economy, but it's even tougher when you've been fired from your last job for violating company rules. You will end up flipping burgers.

With knife nuts making up less than 1% of society at large, get used to the fact that the rest of the herd does not look at knives the same way we do. These rules have come about because some moron abused his right, and ruined it for many. I used to be a machinist before I retired. We had some young idiot cut off his right index finger by abusing a Buck 110 on the job. He was confident in the lock on the blade in spite of the older guys telling him to knock it off. Within a week, Human Resourses came down with a no knives policy. We could only used the stock box cutter from the supply room afterward.

Keep flashing those waved folders in public, and we'll be like England yet. An idiot few ruining it for the many.

Carl.

Agreed. It only takes a few fools to ruin it for everyone. My company does not allow the possession of firearms or other "dangerous weapons" on company property, including the parking lot. My German Army pocketknife (a green-handled Victorinox made to Bundeswehr specs) has unjammed the office fax machines and photocopiers more times than I can count. In fact, fellow employees have borrowed it specifically for this purpose. If I planned to do some shooting immediately after work, my rifle or shotgun (unloaded and in a case) will be locked in the cab of my pickup truck, behind the seat and out of sight.

 

[Sep]

I have read some down right disturbing posts in this thread. I've heard so many people on this site complain about the wussification of this country THEN I see a strong spirit of compliance from that same group. From where I sit, y"all part of the problem - 'oh I'm so scared of being fired, I'd eat poop if my boss told me to' seriously, I'm reading posts from people that will bring hypocrisy to a new level if they dare call someonelse "sheeple" :-(

An employer has the right to demand that you don't carry certain things into his/her property, because a person has the same right when he/she invites you to his/her home. If you're invited to a party and the host says "no shoes allowed", then you either take them off or leave and set up your own party, as simple as that. By refusing to obey his rule, you're in fact infringing on his right.

If I set up my own business and I prohibit people from carrying cell phone because it distracts from the job, I'm completely within my rights.

 

[TOM1960]

Well. You be you, ill be me. Personally, I'd jump off a cliff before I'd trade my self respect for a paycheck by "wearing a polka dotted dress to work". But hey, if its working for ya.

I've carried guns and knives, my whole life. This was long before I had a permit. Did I end up in jail? Nope, ended up going there to drop off others though. I even told an agency that, during a poly - said I carried guns long before I had a permit, wow they cared soooo much that they offered me a job.

I was served with a protective injunction (temporary, it was dropped when it was found to be based on BS) it said I was not allowed to have any guns..... I was strapped up when I signed it

You can call it "common sense" (and by doing so imply I have none) but study the levels of compliance of our founding fathers and ask yourself what they would call it. Whatever, I know these words fall on deaf ears. If I was a law maker or your employer I'm sure you'd listen though and be ready to jump through whatever hoops I demanded.

Be very careful when dealing with domestic violence restraining orders, protective injunctions, etc. Under the federal Lautenberg Act, the person subject to such a protective order becomes a federally prohibited person with regard to the possession of firearms and ammunition during the entire time that the order is in full force and effect. Violation is a 6-year federal felony, on top of whatever criminal sanctions are imposed by the state that issued it. Here in MA, your Firearms Identification Card (FID) and License to Carry Firearms (LTC) are immediately suspended and the subject of the order is instructed by the court to turn over all firearms and ammunition to local police. New Hampshire restraining orders prohibit the possession of other dangerous weapons, such as swords and machetes, as well. Bury all firearms/ammo and edged weapons or leave them with friends out of state immediately after being served with the order. Don't chance becoming a convicted felon and forever losing your right to own a gun.

 

[powernoodle]

THEN I see a strong spirit of compliance from that same group.

I dare you to break the BF rules and get banned, just to demonstrate that you won't be constrained by other people's rules.

Not really. :thumbup:

But losing a $30K or $60K job over the privilege of carrying a folder is not hypocritical as you say - but it is incredibly stupid. Aside from the possibility of losing your house over a Sodbuster, one can only effectuate change from the inside. Getting yourself fired over a knife would only edify the employer's resolve to ban knives. But as an employee, at least you have the opportunity to bring about change from within by demonstrating that the act of carrying a Delica does not turn a normal, decent guy into a mass murderer.

And employers do not exist for the purpose of making you happy. They exist to make money for the owner or shareholders. They have every right to establish rules of employee conduct while on the job, and while no-knife policies are generally pretty stupid, I don't blame employers for doing everything they believe will maximize their margins by reducing injuries, workers compensation claims and possibly lawsuits.

I work from my laptop in my kitchen, and my boss is 150 miles away, so I have it easy. Maybe I would have a different take on things if I had to deal with a weasley boss everyday, or some fat, divorced co-worker who wants everyone around her to be as miserable as she is.

 

[hughewil]

Unfortunately this is the result of an overly litigious and security oriented culture. If anything goes wrong it's someone else's fault. Heaven forbid we would be held responsible for protecting ourselves.

One good thing though, Georgia just made it illegal to ban weapons in your car - even on company property. Maybe there is some hope.

+1

It's the a-holes who sue because they saw a knife and iit scared them, or the a-holes who sue because they cut themsleves while at work that make companies have to ban knives.

 

[will62]

For the moment I am playing by the rules until I can locate another job. I just have to wonder what this country is coming to when a stockman is considered a weapon. I know that the lack of either common sense or maturity on the part of some knife owners has put us on this path. You can't go displaying your latest tactical knife in front of the general public, especially in some parts of the country.

If the company I work for is worried about us having weapons, they need to ban the 175 liter(m6 or B) oxygen tanks. One can do a bunch of damage with a 16 in long 2.5 in diameter 4 pound tank.

 

[Gadgetman7]

I dare you to break the BF rules and get banned, just to demonstrate that you won't be constrained by other people's rules.

Not really. :thumbup:

But losing a $30K or $60K job over the privilege of carrying a folder is not hypocritical as you say - but it is incredibly stupid. Aside from the possibility of losing your house over a Sodbuster, one can only effectuate change from the inside. Getting yourself fired over a knife would only edify the employer's resolve to ban knives. But as an employee, at least you have the opportunity to bring about change from within by demonstrating that the act of carrying a Delica does not turn a normal, decent guy into a mass murderer.

And employers do not exist for the purpose of making you happy. They exist to make money for the owner or shareholders. They have every right to establish rules of employee conduct while on the job, and while no-knife policies are generally pretty stupid, I don't blame employers for doing everything they believe will maximize their margins by reducing injuries, workers compensation claims and possibly lawsuits.

I work from my laptop in my kitchen, and my boss is 150 miles away, so I have it easy. Maybe I would have a different take on things if I had to deal with a weasley boss everyday, or some fat, divorced co-worker who wants everyone around her to be as miserable as she is.

In general I agree with you but there is one critical difference IMHO. I don't agree that employer, or any other commercial concern, has the right to prohibit whatever they please. Our state legislature tends to agree. Not from you but I have seen many posters compare employers rights to a homeowners rights. They are not the same thing. Once you open your business to the public or even employees they still retain their rights and unlike a home there are guidelines as to who may not be employed or served.

I do agree that being a jackass or scaring people is not the way to win this argument. We have to make rational arguments and try to change the liability laws that generate this type of response. That is why I support Knife Rights Org.

 

[Ankerson]

In general I agree with you but there is one critical difference IMHO. I don't agree that employer, or any other commercial concern, has the right to prohibit whatever they please. Our state legislature tends to agree. Not from you but I have seen many posters compare employers rights to a homeowners rights. They are not the same thing. Once you open your business to the public or even employees they still retain their rights and unlike a home there are guidelines as to who may not be employed or served.

I do agree that being a jackass or scaring people is not the way to win this argument. We have to make rational arguments and try to change the liability laws that generate this type of response. That is why I support Knife Rights Org.

Actually no you are wrong.

Employers have the right to set the rules and the Employees have the right to either follow them or hit the road either by their choice or the Employers choice by getting fired.

 

[Gadgetman7]

Actually no you are wrong.

Employers have the right to set the rules and the Employees have the right to either follow them or hit the road either by their choice or the Employers choice by getting fired.

Not always and not in every state. Georgia restricts employers rights to ban weapons and due to poor wording a revision of the law will likely be passed that includes a provision that eliminates some loopholes that have been found.

The real answer is to change liability laws so the employers have no reason to ban knives.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Carry a high quality pair of scissors instead. Back when I worked at Lowe's they'd only let you carry an auto-retracting round-pointed razor knife. I carried a pair of Heritage Cutlery electrician's scissors in a pocket pouch and never heard a single complaint, even when I used them in front of management.

 

[glistam]

I work for the Feds on their land where knife and weapon policy is basically "built in" by the federal criminal law. No "weapons" except pocket knives under 2.5". Violating that policy isn't just an issue of employment; a violator is looking at potential jail time.

I get by though. I can still carry my Leatherman micra and my Benchmite II, and I do just fine. They might be small but they can tackle most non culinary tasks (cooking utensils themselves being another loophole) and they don't scare my almost entirely female coworker population. In fact they seem like they expect it of me to have something sharp when they need it.

I'm not worried about defense here considering the place is surrounded by a 10 ft. spiked fence and guarded by actual police officers (some packing automatic weapons). As for the commute, I keep close my hornbeam cane and my solid brass padlock.

 

[parbajtor]

You don't have to like it, but you're on your employers quarter you dance to his rules. When you win the lotto or start your own company you can carry whatever you want. It's tough enough to find a job in a down economy, but it's even tougher when you've been fired from your last job for violating company rules. You will end up flipping burgers.

With knife nuts making up less than 1% of society at large, get used to the fact that the rest of the herd does not look at knives the same way we do. These rules have come about because some moron abused his right, and ruined it for many. I used to be a machinist before I retired. We had some young idiot cut off his right index finger by abusing a Buck 110 on the job. He was confident in the lock on the blade in spite of the older guys telling him to knock it off. Within a week, Human Resourses came down with a no knives policy. We could only used the stock box cutter from the supply room afterward.

Keep flashing those waved folders in public, and we'll be like England yet. An idiot few ruining it for the many.

Carl.

You've already surpassed England by the sound of it. Legal every day carry with no reason required is a sub 3" non locking folder. Anything else needs a "good reason" That doesn't mean a ban, it means a hunting knife can be carried for hunting, a katana for collecting, martial arts practice, demonstration etc. Actually, no real restrictions at all for sensible use. Bowie knives banned in Texas? Whatever happened to the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave?

 

[TOM1960]

You've already surpassed England by the sound of it. Legal every day carry with no reason required is a sub 3" non locking folder. Anything else needs a "good reason" That doesn't mean a ban, it means a hunting knife can be carried for hunting, a katana for collecting, martial arts practice, demonstration etc. Actually, no real restrictions at all for sensible use. Bowie knives banned in Texas? Whatever happened to the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave?

The only problem that I have with UK law is the definition of "good reason". A UK police officer who happens to like knives may let things slide if he/she finds a 3" to 4" locking folder on a person. A hard-line officer may not be so lenient and make an arrest. So, has any case law been established in the UK as to exactly what the definition of "good reason" or sensible use is? Or is it subjective, open to broad interpretation by individual officers? Ask 10 officers and you will probably get 10 different opinions. Not good at all. My employer prohibits firearms and dangerous weapons on the company property, but recognizes that small folding knives are very useful tools.