Carrying on the job

[Hmac]

As long as MN is an at-will employment state, it doesn't really matter, does it?

Then why have an accurate company policy or even a company policy at all? If a company can say "Your shoes suck. You're fired!!: (which they can in an "At Will" state such as Minnesota), why even bother with rules and policies?

It's polite to let people know what is expected of them from their employer. Somehow you have to know the basic rules of the place where you work.

[XDM45]

As long as MN is an at-will employment state, it doesn't really matter, does it?

Then why have an accurate company policy or even a company policy at all? If a company can say "Your shoes suck. You're fired!!: (which they can in an "At Will" state such as Minnesota), why even bother with rules and policies?

It's polite to let people know what is expected of them from their employer. Somehow you have to know the basic rules of the place where you work.

So it's a "feel good" thing like "X bans guns on these premises"; but that still doesn't really address my points on legality and accuracy. I should write a company policy.

11. On every Friday, all employees will do the following in this order:
a) Go to the local gun range and fire some semi and full-automatic firearms for stress reduction.
b) Go to TGIFs for dinner and drinks.
c) Go to a spa and get a relaxing massage and bath.

Failure to comply will result in a stripper with a bong coming to your house in the middle of the night.

[Hmac]

So it's a "feel good" thing like "X bans guns on these premises"; but that still doesn't really address my points on legality and accuracy. I should write a company policy.

11. On every Friday, all employees will do the following in this order:
a) Go to the local gun range and fire some semi and full-automatic firearms for stress reduction.
b) Go to TGIFs for dinner and drinks.
c) Go to a spa and get a relaxing massage and bath.

Failure to comply will result in a stripper with a bong coming to your house in the middle of the night.

In an at-will employment state, the employer isn't really even obligated to follow his employee handbook. He can fire non-contract employees whenever he feels like it and for whatever reason might strike his fancy on any given day. Only exception would be firing someone in a federally protected class on the basis of discrimination.

Mere courtesy, just like posting your business against firearms. No force of law.

[BigDog58]

You might want to mention to the "HR" rep that you are viewing this as a "hostile work environment" . Believe me, after being a union rep for nearly 35 yrs, this will get their attention. It let's them know you aren't going to put up being singled out our harassed! But, I also suggest you keep a log, and write down everything that has and does occur. It comes in very handy should you need legal help with the idiots.

[XDM45]

So it's a "feel good" thing like "X bans guns on these premises"; but that still doesn't really address my points on legality and accuracy. I should write a company policy.

11. On every Friday, all employees will do the following in this order:
a) Go to the local gun range and fire some semi and full-automatic firearms for stress reduction.
b) Go to TGIFs for dinner and drinks.
c) Go to a spa and get a relaxing massage and bath.

Failure to comply will result in a stripper with a bong coming to your house in the middle of the night.

In an at-will employment state, the employer isn't really even obligated to follow his employee handbook. He can fire non-contract employees whenever he feels like it and for whatever reason might strike his fancy on any given day. Only exception would be firing someone in a federally protected class on the basis of discrimination.

Mere courtesy, just like posting your business against firearms. No force of law.

Agree with all of that.

You might want to mention to the "HR" rep that you are viewing this as a "hostile work environment" . Believe me, after being a union rep for nearly 35 yrs, this will get their attention. It let's them know you aren't going to put up being singled out our harassed! But, I also suggest you keep a log, and write down everything that has and does occur. It comes in very handy should you need legal help with the idiots.

Good advice.

[Hmac]

You might want to mention to the "HR" rep that you are viewing this as a "hostile work environment" . Believe me, after being a union rep for nearly 35 yrs, this will get their attention. It let's them know you aren't going to put up being singled out our harassed! But, I also suggest you keep a log, and write down everything that has and does occur. It comes in very handy should you need legal help with the idiots.

In a union shop, maybe. There's a contract in place that offers a considerable amount of protection from "at will" whimsy. If the union will back you up, then I agree HR will take notice of "hostile work environment" rumblings. If an employee is non-contract/no union....no such protection exists. You can complain about a "hostile work environment", but you and your attorney will be carrying that ball all on your own. It had better be a good case, or at the least it will give HR a good chuckle, and at worst might force them into firing you before too much "hostile work environment" builds up. For a non-contract employee, HR isn't nearly as afraid of that term as you seem to think.

[JTapper]

It may also be worth noting that the OP may be employed by an organization who's presence spans several states, so "weapons permit" and "concealed carry permit" may be their universal terminology.

My point was that in an at-will state, who cares. It's you choice where you are employed as much as it is an employers choice to have you as an employee.

[MWAG]

So it's a "feel good" thing like "X bans guns on these premises"; but that still doesn't really address my points on legality and accuracy. I should write a company policy.

11. On every Friday, all employees will do the following in this order:
a) Go to the local gun range and fire some semi and full-automatic firearms for stress reduction.
b) Go to TGIFs for dinner and drinks.
c) Go to a spa and get a relaxing massage and bath.

Failure to comply will result in a stripper with a bong coming to your house in the middle of the night.

You hiring?

[XDM45]

So it's a "feel good" thing like "X bans guns on these premises"; but that still doesn't really address my points on legality and accuracy. I should write a company policy.

11. On every Friday, all employees will do the following in this order:
a) Go to the local gun range and fire some semi and full-automatic firearms for stress reduction.
b) Go to TGIFs for dinner and drinks.
c) Go to a spa and get a relaxing massage and bath.

Failure to comply will result in a stripper with a bong coming to your house in the middle of the night.

You hiring?

I wish!!!

[tman]

If I were working in a hostile work environment, the first sign from me that I was that upset would be the process being served.

One doesn't threaten an at will employer...


Sent from my iPhone using that app which shall not be named.

[mzdadoc]

Can someone please explain what it is to be an "At will" state?

[xd ED]

At Will Employment - The Wiki Version

At-will employment is a term used in U.S. labor law for contractual relationships in which an employee can be dismissed by an employer for any reason (that is, without having to establish "just cause" for termination), and without warning. When an employee is acknowledged as being hired "at will", courts deny the employee any claim for loss resulting from the dismissal. The rule is justified by its proponents on the basis that an employee may be similarly entitled to leave his or her job without reason or warning

[gdubya]

Can someone please explain what it is to be an "At will" state?

A common-law rule that an employment contract of indefinite duration can be terminated by either the employer or the employee at any time for any reason; also known as terminable at will.

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictiona ... nt+at+Will


Point being you can be legally fired at any time for any reason without cause with no recourse. Conversely you can quit at any time and your employer cannot take action because just your leaving loses them clientele or hurts their business. This assumes you have no formal signed written employment contract. Some states make an employer show cause to fire an employee or demonstrate hardship in order to make layoffs or else pay special compensation. I am not a lawyer, but I do have personal experience that a non-unionized employer can terminate your employment for no reason.

That being said, I believe most "weapons prohibited" policies are thought to provide potential legal cover should one employee harm another employee. Successful lawsuits to he opposite would potentially change their minds. If an employer has an explicit policy against carrying including established penalties, they would likely have no choice but to fire any employee known to violate that policy or risk additional legal liability due to their foreknowledge and be vulnerable to lawsuits alleging unequal treatment. Again, IANAL.

Edit: I'm slow on the draw...

[mzdadoc]

Thank you!!!

[grimbeaver]

You gotta look at this all from a different angle. Company policies in Minnesota have nothing to do with at-will employment but rather with unemployment. You can only collect unemployment if your termination was due to no fault of your own. If they terminate you due to violation of a company policy they have grounds to deny your unemployment benefits.