Fired Worker in Massachusetts Argues Pot Use Didn’t Violate Company Policy

July 18, 2018

A Massachusetts woman who was fired by a food services company for her recreational marijuana use says she was wrongfully terminated.

The Eagle-Tribune reports that 55-year-old Bernadette Coughlin was fired last month from her job as a supervisor with Sodexo at Holy Family Hospital after she was drug tested following a fall at work. The Methuen woman says she had used pot after work a few days before the incident.

Recreational marijuana is legal in Massachusetts. However, Sodexo operates under federal jurisdiction.

Coughlin has requested arbitration with Sodexo.

Her attorney says Coughlin’s off-duty pot use didn’t violate company policy because it didn’t affect her performance or safety. The attorney says there were discrepancies with the test’s handling.

A Sodexo spokesman said the company is evaluating its policies around marijuana.

Information from: The Eagle-Tribune

Topics Massachusetts

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Latest Comments

  • July 24, 2018 at 3:49 pm
    bob says:
    Why do you believe he doesn't get to comment about how people comment on these posts? He's not allowed input on that? I suppose no one here should ever have to self reflect on... read more
  • July 24, 2018 at 3:24 pm
    craig cornell says:
    If a teenager smokes pot regularly, he or she risks brain damage. If anyone smokes pot regularly, he or she risks serious mental illness (by a factor of 2 to 5 time greater ch... read more
  • July 24, 2018 at 2:53 pm
    LadyLisa says:
    Although marijuana use is legal in some states, either medically or recreationally, it still is a Federal crime, and that is how employers can fire employees for use.

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