Say Hello . . .

. . . to my little friend.  Remember that famous line from Scarface?!  Well starting today, Florida joins several other states by giving concealed handgun license holders the right to bring their firearms to work.

In essence, this legislation creates a new “protected class” of employee.  There are 7 different prohibitions that are designed to prevent employers from banning concealed weapons from their parking lots.  In various ways, these restrictions interfere with an employer’s rights to provide a workplace that is safe and free from violence - something that is required by OSHA.

How can Florida employers deal with this legal contradiction? Several organizations, including the Florida Chamber, are asking the courts for an injunction.  Let’s hope the courts listen.  Otherwise employers will have a whole bunch of new “friends” hanging out in the parking lot.