Reply #19: This a VERY widespread practice!

[cryofan]

Take a look at this huge Slashdot thread on this subject:
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/04/04/1655231

It is amazing to see so many people say this happened to them at so many different companies.

This practice really goes right to the heart of the weak American welfare state. If we had a strong welfare state like the social democracies of Europe, the workers would be able to collect longterm unemployment and welfare, and therefore would not be so afraid to speak out.

I am headed to law school this fall, and after reading that Slashdot thread, I am think I am going to take a close look at Labor Law as a possible practice area. It really strikes right at the heart of the corporate capitalist state.

Man, would I love to send nastygram letters to corporations, threatening to get go through their files, looking for records alteration, each incidence of which is a failure to pay taxes (payroll taxes!), and a possible heavy fine and prison sentence. If I can just find the clients, they would have to settle for a few thousand, even if they just shaved a few minutes each time.