Getting Paid to Read Books - Employee Sues?

This seems to be a week for Catch 22 stories. The facts are a little complicated, but it appears Patricia Freund, a New York state employee, raised questions about state workers attendance at Governor Pataki's non-denominational prayer breakfast. She went at the urging of her boss, but later complained to co-workers. According to her, in retaliation for her complaints:

Her duties were taken away from her and she was relegated to a back office where she now spends her time often reading books she brings from home. With benefits, her job costs taxpayers about $100,000 a year.

Her lawyer, "it's making her absolutely crazy." Check out the AP story in Newsday. A few New York taxpayers footing the bill for her quasi-employment and now the litigation costs, might go bonkers as well.



Thanks to Professor Gely for the tip on this story at the Labor Prof Blog.