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heathergirl
Cocktail Time!
Member since 10/08 4978 total posts
Name:
American mouth
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Is this legal?
It it legal for an employer to threaten termination if one is caught speaking or emailing about something non-work related?
We were just told we would be terminated if we spoke to anyone in the department about anything non-work related, or emailed anything non-work related.
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Posted 11/11/09 10:45 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
MrsYank
She's here :)
Member since 4/07 3238 total posts
Name:
Mrs. Yank
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Re: Is this legal?
I'm not sure about speaking but I would say they are allowed to terminate if you are using their computers to discuss non work related things. In my district they save everyone's email for 7 years. Also I heard of a company that fired a few people for online shopping during work time.
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| Posted 11/11/09 10:58 AM |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: Is this legal?
I would imagine an employer could set any kind of rules they wanted to in their company as long as it doesn't fall under certain categories as sexist, racist or abusive...
emailing about something non-work related doesn't seem like that much of a stretch... I don't know what constitutes speaking of something non work related but I would imagine it means personal phone calls & the like...
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| Posted 11/11/09 10:59 AM |
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heathergirl
Cocktail Time!
Member since 10/08 4978 total posts
Name:
American mouth
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Re: Is this legal?
I can see the email thing.
But we were just told we cannot SPEAK unless it is work related, otherwise we are to remain at our desks quietly, otherwise we will be terminated.
Message edited 11/11/2009 11:11:36 AM.
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| Posted 11/11/09 11:11 AM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Is this legal?
Posted by heathergirl
I can see the email thing.
But we were just told we cannot SPEAK unless it is work related, otherwise we are to remain at our desks quietly, otherwise we will be terminated.
seems harsh and like they are setting people up to be fired
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| Posted 11/11/09 11:27 AM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Is this legal?
Message edited 11/11/2009 12:18:51 PM.
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| Posted 11/11/09 12:18 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Is this legal?
Posted by heathergirl
It it legal for an employer to threaten termination if one is caught speaking or emailing about something non-work related?
We were just told we would be terminated if we spoke to anyone in the department about anything non-work related, or emailed anything non-work related.
Yes they can do this. You're an at-will employee so you can willfully leave if you don't like it.
PS: I hope you didn't write this post from your work computer. 
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| Posted 11/11/09 12:48 PM |
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NRuby515
LIF Infant
Member since 9/09 210 total posts
Name:
Nicole - NikkiR515 on LIW
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Re: Is this legal?
Posted by Beth
Posted by heathergirl
I can see the email thing.
But we were just told we cannot SPEAK unless it is work related, otherwise we are to remain at our desks quietly, otherwise we will be terminated.
seems harsh and like they are setting people up to be fired
I agree... It's a sad world when you can get fired for asking someone how their weekend was...  
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| Posted 11/11/09 1:17 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Is this legal?
I would ask, "how was your weekend? Did you have to work?"
Seriously that could be construed as a hostile work environment.
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| Posted 11/11/09 2:34 PM |
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DWKS810
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/09 554 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this legal?
Did something happen at the job to make them create this rule? Was there a lot of office gossip, inappropriate discussions, or time wasting with personal things? Maybe someone was being harassed by a co-worker and this was their way of stopping it?
I agree it sounds very harsh, I do believe it's legal, it's their choice of how they want to run their office, but I am so curious as to why they enacted this rule out of the blue.
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| Posted 11/11/09 7:09 PM |
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DiamondGirl
You are my I love you
Member since 7/09 18802 total posts
Name:
DiamondMama
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Re: Is this legal?
Posted by heathergirl
I can see the email thing.
But we were just told we cannot SPEAK unless it is work related, otherwise we are to remain at our desks quietly, otherwise we will be terminated.
I don't knowthink it is techinically illegal...but it seems a little extreme and like your employeer is trying to make a point.
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| Posted 11/11/09 8:17 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this legal?
yes, it's legal. I also think it's harsh & doesn't help with team building.
I could see if it's a retail store or if there has been issues with gossip, but for an office it seems over the top.
Are they looking to terminate staff & go around a severance policy?
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| Posted 11/12/09 12:05 PM |
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heathergirl
Cocktail Time!
Member since 10/08 4978 total posts
Name:
American mouth
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Re: Is this legal?
Posted by nrthshgrl
yes, it's legal. I also think it's harsh & doesn't help with team building.
I could see if it's a retail store or if there has been issues with gossip, but for an office it seems over the top.
Are they looking to terminate staff & go around a severance policy?
No, I don't believe they are looking to terminate. My job is pretty secure  I think there is a backstory to the talking issue and my boss can be somewhat dramatic and I think she just went a little overboard. I agree, it doesn't help build morale in a department where we are being demoralized left and right 
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| Posted 11/13/09 5:12 PM |
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