Georgia Tech Fires Wanda Wilson. Was this action too severe?

Wanda Wilson was an administrative assistant at Georgia Tech’s School of Electrical Engineering until September 2007. Wilson had her employment terminated in September 2007 after an official audit of her state issued credit card. Later, the school said she used the laptop computer and accessories to record sexual encounters, engage in sexually related chat room conversations and online gambling. Georgia Tech has General Work Rules that outline both major and minor rules of employment at Georgia Tech. Some of these violations are outlined in the excerpt of that policy below:

“Major Rule Violations

Major offenses include any willful, deliberate violation of Institute or safety rules of such a degree that continued employment of the individual may not be desirable. The following are examples of some offenses that may subject an employee to immediate discharge without warning:

* Deliberately abusing, destroying, damaging, or defacing Institute property or the property of others on Georgia Tech premises.

* Gambling, possession or use of liquor or narcotics, or the possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons on Institute premises.

* Taking Institute or other employee’s property for one’s own use.

* Sexual misconduct.

Minor Rule

Rule violations of a minor nature include violations that may affect the continuity, efficiency of safety or work and will not be tolerated if repeated. Minor rule violations may result in either verbal or written warnings to the employee; however, repeated violations could lead to suspension and possibly termination. The following are examples of minor rule violations that may result in either verbal or written warnings to the employee:

* Performing unauthorized personal work on Georgia Tech time.

* Using Institute resources for personal work.

The above lists are not intended to be all inclusive. Georgia is an employment at will state. Cause is not necessary to terminate employment.”

Source: Georgia Tech Human Resources Discipline Policy

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