WWMED?

What would my employer do?
That is the question I always ask myself when a public figure such as an athlete gets into trouble.

In this case, I ask the question about the Gilbert Arenas case.

Despite pro sports high profile in the public eye, sports are still privately owned businesses with the goal of making money. Also, like another work place, the leagues and owners retain the right to impose reasonable rules on employees.

Reasonable rules include don't steal from the company, show up on time, don't show up drunk or high and don't bring guns or weapons to work unless you are military or a police.

NBA policy prohibits bringing firearms into an NBA facility. For that violation, NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Arenas and Javaris Crittenton without pay for the rest of the season.

Back to my question, what would my employer do? No ands, ifs or buts about it, they would suspended me immediately and more than likely fire me. I work in an oil refinery. At the entrance gate a list prohibited items is posted. Guns, alcohol, illegal drugs and being under the influence of drugs or alcohol are strictly prohibited. As a union steward I know when cases involving prohibited items are involved. In every case the violator has lost his or her job.

I know my employer's rules as a condition of my employment. Arenas, Crittenton and other NBA players know the NBA's rules. We all know before hand what is expected and required to stay employed and earn a living. We also know the consequences of breaking those rules. For whatever reason, two NBA players ignored those rules and now will sit the remainder of the year without pay.

Arenas will probably be back somewhere because of his talent but probably nowhere near the salary he pulls down now. Crittenton's career might be over. All I can say is I hope they and other players learn from this incident and Plaxico Burress's incident and remember those rules are in place for a reason and the price is steep for breaking them.