Can my boss fire me for refusing to sign a form agreeing to no pay suspension?

Question

Recently the owner of the company I work for called us into his office and made us sign a form. The form basically said that if we made any mistake that cost the company money, we could be suspended for at least a week without pay. Further mistakes would mean termination. He gave us the choice to either sign the paper and agree to his terms or we could simply  quit on the spot if we chose not to sign. Many of my coworkers have kids and stuff so we all just signed, not wanting to throw away our jobs. I know it is after the fact but can our boss actually do this out of the blue like this and is it allowable for him to make us sign it or forfeit our jobs?

Mr. Smartypants · Accepted Answer

Your boss (or his boss) is just being a jerk. When you joined that company, you signed a paper showing you understand that your employment there is 'at will', meaning the company may dismiss you at any time, for any reason or no reason at all.  That's the law now in most states.  The arrangement is mutual!  You may also leave at any time, with or without a reason.

I don't think there's a single person working anywhere at any job that hasn't made mistakes that cost the company money.  If we all got fired for that, we'd have 100% unemployment!  The boss is only trying to intimidate you, to remind you that your job isn't guaranteed, that if you mess up in any way you could find yourself unemployed.

Rob M · Answer

Actually he doesn't need to get you permission to enact this policy

An employer can legally punish an employee by
1 verbal warning 
2 written warning
3 send the person home for the rest of the day
4 SUSPENSION OF 2 TO 5 DAYS WITHOUT PAY
5 termination

I've written #4 in all caps because thats the one that applies. Simply stated he can legally do this, he does not need you permission. If you don't like it get another job

Mike · Answer

There's no way that he can force you to sign anything. He's merely trying to use  scare tactics like many of these nuckleheaded bosses do. If I were you, I'd refuse to sign and like he said, you can quit on the spot, so go ahead and leave this jerk and find a better boss. One who actually has a functioning brain. It's quite clear, that he doesn't care anything about you or the other employees.

babyboomer1001 · Answer

Yes.  In fact, it is commonly done.  You don't even have to sign something to be denied pay when suspended.  He let you all know as a matter of courtesy and to put you all on notice to pay attention to the job at hand.  If you don't like it, quit.  And, if you are so concerned about screwing up and having an unpaid suspension, then you are probably in the wrong line of business.

Teekno · Answer

Yes, he can terminate you for failing to agree to company policy.

You should also know that he doesn't actually need you to sign that form in order to suspend or terminate you.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes he can do that, though he's not being a really good boss but it's in his power unless your employment agreement have any point against this and is duly signed by you and your boss.

ornery and mean · Answer

Unless you had an employment contract that this new agreement violates, he sure can do that!

The Guest · Answer

He's your boss,yes he probly can do that.

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Can my boss fire me for refusing to sign a form agreeing to no pay suspension?

8 Answers