Is it legal to lay off an entire office in one city and reopen in another without offering existing employees relocation?
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Is it legal to lay off an entire office in one city and reopen in another without offering existing employees relocation?
My husband’s employer is closing down the entire state office in our city to reopen one in his city 7 hours away. Instead of offering any of them relocation he’s asked them to train their replacements within the 45 day window. How is this fair or legal?
Asked on August 16, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Florida
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
While seemingly unfair, it is probably legal. That is unless this action breaches the terms of a union/collective bargaining agreement or employment contract. Also, it must not constitute some form of legally actionable discrimination. The fact is that most employment is "at will" which means that a company can set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit. This includes not offering employees relocation to a new city.
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