QUESTION
If I refuse to sign my employee handbook can my boss legally fire me?
Asked on Feb 20th, 2014 on Labor and Employment - North Carolina
More details to this question:
My boss just made up this handbook and there are a lot of things in it I don't agree with, he told me that if I refuse to sign it he will fire me. Can he legally do this? And is there anything I can do about it?
7 ANSWERS
Automobile Accidents and Injuries Attorney serving Knoxville, TN
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Baker Law Firm
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Tennessee observes the "at-will" doctrine concerning the employment relationship. This means you are employed at-will, at your will to go to work and the employers will to have you and you can be terminated for good cause, bad cause or no cause, and you can quit for the same reasons, with certain exceptions including but not limited to a written agreement, other laws which apply (EEOC, discrimination laws based on age, gender, religion etc., FMLA, ADA etc.) or the employer asks you to do something illegal, or for making a workers compensation claim.
Answered on Feb 25th, 2014 at 4:26 AM
Employment & Labor Attorney serving Weston, FL
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Behren Law Firm
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Probably unless some of the handbook has illegal provisions in it which you are objecting to follow.
Answered on Feb 24th, 2014 at 9:05 PM
Commercial Contracts Attorney serving Boise, ID
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Peters Law, PLLC
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Yes, he can fire you. The handbook states the conditions of employment. If you can't live under it, then you can't work there.
Answered on Feb 24th, 2014 at 9:03 PM
Bruce A. Coane
Generally speaking, in Texas, yes, assuming you have no contract and no union.
Answered on Feb 24th, 2014 at 9:03 PM
Labor and Employment Litigation Attorney serving Beverly Hills, CA
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Thomas & Associates
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As an employee you can challenge unlawful action taken against you-example, discrimination. However, as an employee, you don't get to like or dislike lawful policies adopted by your employer. If you don't sign the handbook, the employer has a right to fire you.
Answered on Feb 24th, 2014 at 7:52 PM
Usually, yes. Sign the Employee Handbook and then contact an attorney.
Answered on Feb 24th, 2014 at 7:49 PM
Family Law Attorney serving Durham, NC
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Morelos Law Firm
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Unfortunately, employers have a lot of discretion in their business-making decisions. It is unknown if this was something available at the time of hire and now just being sprung on you now that you are "in" and you are feeling duped. Or if it was simply something they wanted to start having, like many companies do, so it didn't exist at hire for you to sign. You can and should certainly have an attorney look it over to make sure it's not completely underhanded. But as for forcing you to sign it or otherwise terminating you for not signing it, without more facts I don't see anything against the laws on that. But maybe have a consult and go from there.
Answered on Feb 24th, 2014 at 7:38 PM