Employee Conduct Off the Job

 Can an employer factor in employee conduct off the job?

Say an employee is involved in some sort of radical political activity and makes the news, and your company is mentioned.

Or gets a misdemeanor pot citation? 

Or makes the news for domestic abuse?

The answer to your business and personal response is - "it depends."

Depends on federal law, state law, the type of job, the severity of the activity and etc.

If the job involves handling funds or dealing with sensitive information this may be more urgent. If the job is public facing this may be more urgent. Other types of jobs (roofer) not so much.

Thinking about this ahead of time is important.

And keep the lawyer on speed dial.