euphemistic use of "exempt"

[Geoff Nathan]

In some other unionized context (such as universities) 'exempt' means 'not a member of the union', and therefore not subject to restrictions on hiring and firing ('exempt' employees are usually 'at-will', and can be fired without cause). Also they can be subjected to more stringent employment restrictions, but can also supervise others. 

Geoff 

Geoffrey S. Nathan 
Faculty Liaison, C&IT 
and Professor, Linguistics Program 
http://blogs.wayne.edu/proftech/ 
+1 (313) 577-1259 (C&IT) 

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----- Original Message -----

> From: "Dan Goncharoff" <thegonch at GMAIL.COM>
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2014 8:51:36 AM
> Subject: Re: euphemistic use of "exempt"

> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> -----------------------
> Sender: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster: Dan Goncharoff <thegonch at GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: euphemistic use of "exempt"
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> I'm no employment expert, but I believe this use of 'exempt' is
> consistant
> with the normal use of the word in employment contexts. The most
> common
> example is the overtime exemption -- if you are exempt, you can still
> work
> the hours, but you can't get paid for it. The exemption refers to the
> application of the law. In Peterson's case, it is the normal
> provisions of
> the agreement with the players union.
> On Sep 17, 2014 7:25 AM, "Jonathan Lighter" <wuxxmupp2000 at gmail.com>
> wrote:

> > ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> > -----------------------
> > Sender: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> > Poster: Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at GMAIL.COM>
> > Subject: euphemistic use of "exempt"
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > The Vikings have announced that for now Adrian Peterson is
> > "exempt...from
> > all team activities"
> >
> > That means he's banned or disqualified.
> >
> > But it makes it sound like a break for him, doesn't it?
> >
> > JL
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > "If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the
> > truth."
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------
> > The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------
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