Chief judge: 2 fired for jury service (Chi.Trib.)

[spindrifter]

By Matt O'Connor
Tribune staff reporter
Published March 14, 2007, 12:37 PM CDT

Two people have been fired by their employers over their service on a federal grand jury, and attorneys have been appointed on their behalf by the chief judge, the court said today.

In a preliminary decision, U.S. District Chief Judge James Holderman found probable merit that the employers violated federal law.

<snip>

Federal law forbids an employer from retaliating or discriminating against an employee because of service on a grand jury. The statute allows for an attorney to be appointed for the grand juror if probable merit of federal violation is found by the chief judge, the court said.

<snip>

"Jury service, whether it be on a grand jury or a trial jury, is an obligation of citizenship," Holderman said in a statement. "Our country's system of justice depends on it.

<more>

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070314jury,1,3245647.story?coll=chi-news-hed

[soulcore]

1. Figures. K&R

I can tell you from first hand expereience Corporate America cares about nothing but the bottom line.

If you are away on jury duty (and not making the company money) they can do whatever they want. It may be immoral and/or illegal, but what good does it do the person who's out of a livelihood?

And I'm in the "creative" industry!

[ThomCat]

2. I've had an employer tell me "make sure you don't get picked."

x(

I don't think I'd like being on a jury or grand jury. I sure as hell don't want my employer giving me grief or firing me over it too.