Ross Hopkins, 41, ordered a Budweiser at a Denver bar while relaxing on a Saturday night.

The waitress mistakenly brought him a Coors. Not wanting to wait, he sipped the Coors. Also at the bar that night was the son-in-law of majority shareholder of his employer, American Eagle Distribution Company. The next Monday Hopkins was fired. American Eagle is the local distributor of Budweiser, and Hopkins's bosses did not like his supporting the competition. They stated that he failed to avoid a conflict of interest with his responsibilities at American Eagle. Isac Aguero, 24, can empathize with Hopkins, since he was fired from CJW, Inc. for the same reason. Aguero was a forklift operator at CJW, the local Miller Brewing Co. distributor in Racine, Wisconsin. Aguero was photographed during Racine's annual Mardi Crawl enjoying a Bud Light, and the photo appeared in the "On the Town" section of the local newspaper. His bosses saw the photo and fired him the following Monday. Aguero claims that he was never told not to drink Budweiser and that nothing in the employee handbook said he should avoid certain drinks. His employer would not comment on the circumstances of his dismissal.

Discussion Questions

1) Is it morally permissible for employers to fire at-will employees for legal behavior off duty? Why, or why not? Explain.

2) Were American Eagle and CJW justified in terminating Hopkins and Aguero? Why, or why not? Explain.

3) Should there be legal protection for workers to prevent them from being fired form legal, off-duty behavior? Why, or why not? Explain.

4) How might an ethical organization more fairly impose a restriction on employees utilizing competitors products? Explain.