Can company suspend you for 2 full weeks with no pay?
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Can company suspend you for 2 full weeks with no pay?
I received message from HR and the maintenance manager to stay home and not come into work until an investigation regarding a scratch on a chrome roller was completed. The company handbook policy dictates resolution within 5 days yet it’s been 2 weeks with no correspondence and no pay. I cannot collect unemployment or other benefits to help pay bills since I am not fired. Is this an infringement of company policy, labor law or any other illegal circumstance? Can I seek damages since now my mortgage is late, and soon my car payment?
Asked on March 1, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
As a general rule, company policy is only a guideline so is not legally binding on an employer. Accordingly, unless you have a written contract or union agreement that prohibits this action, it is perfectly permissable under the law. The fact is that most work relationships are "at will" which means that a company can set the conditons of employment much as it sees fit (absent some form of actionable discrimination).
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