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Social media presents an unprecedented way for people to share information. Posts are instant, and discussions on hot topics can be started. But with it comes the possibility of having posts that negatively affect businesses, as can happen when the posts expose bad business practices. Or it can happen when employees share complaints about poor work conditions, putting the company in bad light.

What are the employment policies regarding the use of social media in California? 

Seeing the effects that bad use of social media by their employees may have on business, some companies may have rules to curb it. Rules and regulations may involve not allowing employees to use social media during working hours.

Or the company may control what workers post on social media to ensure it conforms with company rules and is unlikely to hurt the business’s image. But companies need to be cautious when imposing the rules, lest they put the business in trouble, in case an employee decides to sue the company over such.

Can an employee be dismissed over a social media post? 

The answer is, yes, it is possible. A majority of states have the ‘at-will’ employment. It means that the employer and employee have equal rights to terminate an employment contract at will. This law gives an employer powers to lawfully terminate an employee’s’ contract based on a post they made on a social media platform. But other laws may still apply which may make such a termination illegal.

What laws may prohibit termination over a social media post? 

A termination based on ‘ at-will’ employment laws may be challenged if: 

• The contract signed between the employer and employee states the grounds for summary dismissal. If termination from posts made on social media is not indicated in the contract, the employee may have reason to challenge the dismissal.
• The labor guidelines issued by the NLRB (National Labor Relations. Board) indicate otherwise. The board issued a statement that seeks to protect employees who engage in discussions involving work-related issues, But the employee has to prove that others contributed to the discussion for the board’s protection guideline to apply.
• If the affected person is a state employee. The First Amendment grants the right to express oneself freely, and employees can use it to argue against a termination they received for expressing themselves on social media. But this right doesn’t legally bind employers in the private sector.

Seeking legal redress in case of termination over a social media post? 

The legality of a termination an employer made on the basis of a media post would depend on various factors; the local laws of the state of California, the clauses contained in the employment contract, and the nature of the post. To decide to challenge the termination or not, the affected employee would need the advice of a lawyer. The lawyer would interpret for them the protection the law offers them, and what laws their employer violated by firing them.

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The post Social Media and Firing in California appeared first on UELG.

Sometimes, new employees will come across on their job application, employee handbook or employment contract that they will be hired “at will”. For a lot of individuals, this term, at-will employment, is a complete mystery. However, the same individuals are often dismayed when they find out its actual meaning: that their employer has the power to let them go at any time and for any reason they deem fit. In this regard, the reasons why any employer can fire their at-will employees is quite versatile and diverse, naturally to the benefit of the same job provider. If or when the same employment ends, the employees will have a very limited legal potential to do anything about it. But, at the same time, there is a lot more to the same form of employment that is relevant to the employee, especially in the state of California. Here are the most important basic facts about at will employment in California.

At-Will Employment

The law, speaking from the most general standpoint across the US, presumes that anyone is an employee at will. The same does not stand only if the employee can prove that he or she was not hired on an at-will basis. This has to be proven through the use of a written document that was signed by both parties or through an oral statement that was made in the presence of a witness or a third party.

Documents used in the Process – At-Will Employment

Employers usually take a substantial effort to signal that their employees are hired on an at-will basis. This can come in the form of policies, handbook, applications, job evaluations and any other documents related to their employment. If any formal document was signed, the employee has no chance using the law to prove they were wronged in some manner by the employer. That is why anyone must check their document to be sure if they signed that they agree to be fired at any time and without a case. At the same time, a document signed which include a job security promise do not represent an employment at will. If these are breached by the employer, the employee has a right to sue.

Rights of Employee and At-Will Employment Agreements

Often, employers provide their new employees with a written statement that shows they are at-will employees. But, even those who are at-will employees have a set of legal rights. At will employment in California covers protection that a person cannot be fired for reasons that are illegal, either under the state law or the federal one. The same is true for being fired for complaining about a particular illegal activity, about harassment or discrimination, or safety and health violation in the same work environment. The same is true for the protection when it comes to taking medical or family leave, serve in the US military or taking the time to serve on a jury or vote. These are not reasons for getting fired at an at-will job.

With this crucial information on at will employment in California, anyone working under this type of an agreement can make sure their rights are fully protected.

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The post The Basics of the Law Behind At-Will Employment in California appeared first on UELG.