Can an employer legally tell you that you can’t communicate with fellow employees while on leave of absence?
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Can an employer legally tell you that you can’t communicate with fellow employees while on leave of absence?
I’ve been on leave of absence from the security company I work for through approved FMLA. The security company I work for told me while on leave that I am not allowed to have any communication with fellow employees employed by the security company as well as employees at the client site I worked at. Our handbook doesn’t mention any policy stating we can’t communicate with other employees while on leave. Does anyone know if they can legally tell me I can’t communicate with fellow employees? This is what was emailed to me by management,
Asked on June 3, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Unless this mandate violates the terms of an employment contract or union agreement, it is legal. The fact is that most employment is "at will" which means that a company can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit. If you violate this prohibition you can be terminated. In fact you can be fired for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice.
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Unless this mandate violates the terms of an employment contract or union agreement, it is legal. The fact is that most employment is "at will" which means that a company can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit. If you violate this prohibition you can be terminated. In fact you can be fired for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice.
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