Just Say No

Ninjitsu

I posted this in the success category for a reason, yet it may cost me my job.

I am a full time radio announcer and a student. Though this takes up more time than I care to admit I have one job that requires even more time and dedication... My health.

I became frustrated with my weight in August of 2010. When that happened I began eating right, walking, and even subjected myself to a round of P90X.

Needless to say, I'm not the stereotypical bloated DJ whose neck rolls you can hear audibly over your daily airwaves.

Here is where my EDITED rant begins...

Today I arrived at work to an excited group of sales personnel talking about a new promotion. Burger King (%&$#ing A#$*%!#s) has decided to do a promotion so amply called "Feed the DJ" in which I am supposed to eat their food on the air and talk about how their sodium based, artery hardening, grease droppings are "delicious" and encourage my listeners to run out and invest their hard earned morning in committing a slow form of suicide.

I’m sorry, but that won’t be happening.

Now, I’m apparently pissing in the boots of a multi-billion dollar client and costing the company money.

It seems the sales/promotions department would have the intelligence to check with me before trying to inject me into the fat-stores of America.

I'm sorry. I just happened to be on MFP and felt like venting about my success in "Just Saying No."

RTricia

stand your ground. We support you!

bethanna91

Hmmm, I smell a lawsuit brewing! Seriously, can they fire you for not eating that food??? That's crazy! Good luck! Keep us posted!!!

tentenisaboss

Thats amazing and so brave!! Good for you!!

jesseBYAH

Oh my god! This is the most horribly frustrating thing I have ever heard! That is absolutely riduculous... you are a DJ, you are not a commercial. Radio shows have commercials, why don't they just play BK commercials instead of subjecting you to this crap and asking you to personally promote them?! How in the hell is that part of your job description? This is completely unfair and ridiculous. I would be FUMING if I were you. DJing (imo) is a form of art in the way you express yourself and your taste in music. BK has abso-f*cking-lutely NOTHING to do with that. Forcing you to promote them personally is prepostorous. I am so sorry you have to deal with this. I am outraged for you!

Ninjitsu

Believe me. I've learned to hold my tongue, but the four-letter words were passing my gums this time around. Thank goodness my tightly pursed lips were able to stifle all the things I wanted to say or I would probably already be unemployed.

missy1970eb

well done, u did good to stand up to them and if the boss isnt happy get him 2 come in and stuff his own face with it, if u were in the uk u could quote the human rights act, and that would probably get u out of it, maybe theres some equivalent of that 2 where u r

iamhealingmyself

i dont think they can legally force you to eat that or fire you for it. consult with an attorney or get a note from your doctor stating youre on a restricted diet and ask for a reasonable accommodation for your medical condition. that is legally enforceable. dont risk your health for that kind of job. what if you were jewish or muslim and had dietary restrictions? same principal. fight it and stand your healthy ground.might even be other djs that feel the same but are afraid to speak up. stand united ansd if they fight back consider it a hostile work environment and retribution and contact the EEOC.

Sway

Are you kidding!!? I think it's WONDERFUL that you stand up and express your opinions!! It will actually say more to your listeners that you aren't supporting this, than it would if you sold out, and went against your beliefs and health just for a few corporate dollars.

Doing the right thing!!

Ninjitsu

i dont think they can legally force you to eat that or fire you for it. consult with an attorney or get a note from your doctor stating youre on a restricted diet and ask for a reasonable accommodation for your medical condition. that is legally enforceable. dont risk your health for that kind of job. what if you were jewish or muslim and had dietary restrictions? same principal. fight it and stand your healthy ground.might even be otherdjs that feel the same but are afraid to speak up. stand united ansd if they fight back consider it a hostile work environment and retribution and contact the EEOC.

You're right.. they cannot force me.

They actually felt I would be excited to do it (thought they know I've become a health nut).

Jade_Butterfly

Hey for what its worth you are right to stand your ground. You health is more important than some job! God has a plan for everyone, and if you are doing right, He has something better out there for you!:bigsmile: I say good for you!

dyiaane

Tell them sure I'll eat your food- just send me only your salads.

dyiaane

Tell them sure I'll eat your food- just send me only your salads.

iamhealingmyself

seriously, call an attorney who handles EEOC or workplace suits. most will consult for free. find out your rights before you confront your employer and make waves.

Ninjitsu

Tell them sure I'll eat your food- just send me only your salads.

Ahhh if only, but they definitely had a broad spectrum in mind.

IamRoJ

Wow - that's a total dilemna. Proud of you for standing your ground. Besides your own health, to try and get you to influence your listeners into something you don't believe in? Shameful!

Good for you...fight the good fight. For what it's worth, I support ya'! *raises fist in the air...realizes this does nothing to help...feels silly*

darkrider42

Wow, good for you!

Still_Sossy

Unless you have a contract agreeing to all sales promotions, they can not force you to do it.

Girlypeekaboo

good for u sweetie! way to stand up!

Shannon023

That's bologna! Stand your ground! :flowerforyou:

ceebs9

Holy crap. That's just ridiculous. Now if it was some awesome Mexican joint....Kidding, good for you for telling them no.

partcho

You're stronger than I would be!

Xandi

You are my hero!

goron59

Good for you!

And if they force you to do it, have a bit of BK, and state, on-air, that you can actually feel your life shortening with each bite and then rush aside and throw up.

Seriously though, you live in a highly litigious society, so I'm sure there are many many reasons why they can't force you to do this or fire you if you don't.

skinnyhopes

That's really hard to do.
Feel proud of yourself. You did the right thing.

elizwelshman

You are awesome!! Standing up for what you believe is the right thing to do, good for you. :happy: :happy: :happy:

bfh123

How'd this turn out? I think the advise to get a note from your doc was spot on. Good for you for standing up for yourself!

SayLiLIG

GO!!! Stick it to the man dude!! Literally, those sandwiches would stick to him in more ways than one!

ashers1819

They surely can't force you to eat it... do you have a co-host that fancies it. Or could you just pretend to be doing it?

None of the above are helpful to anyone who might be influenced by eating that garbage but at least it might get you out of the dog house.

janesmith1

The only thing that is worrisome is that if you're employed right now at a radio station and they requested you to do it, they could fire you for not participating.

A friend of mine just sued and won from a high end hotel for violating the Americans With Disabilities Act. The downside is that he has not found a job in 2 years. There is super high unemployment. This lawsuit has taken 2 years, it's been horrible. He's getting a measly $17,000 - not even a full year's salary. The lawyers are taking $8k, so that leaves him with $9k....paltry, really.

And if you're in the USA the unemployment rate is HIGH, plus they can fight you to get your unemp check (my friend's corporation did!). He had to go and appeal it several times before he received his first check. Now he's a 99'er and he's still out of work. 9k won't last very long but he's going to try and make it stretch.

What I would do would be to either tell your bosses that you've become a vegetarian recently and do they have the gardenburger that you could eat instead of the regular burger....? Or if not, I'd probably bite the bullet and bite into it, you know how on food network when the cooks eat something, they just take one bite, they never eat the whole thing....I'd take a bite and say it's delicious or whatever....and that would be it.

th1nkth1nmama

That is awesome that you said NO! Be very proud of yourself!