What to do if my boss doesn’t allow employees to park on hotel premises anymore but no other parking options available?
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What to do if my boss doesn’t allow employees to park on hotel premises anymore but no other parking options available?
I work for an independent hotel and the owner recently partnered up with someone. This new owner is not allowing employees to park on the hotel premises anymore, and has passed a memorandum stating that we’ll get our cars towed if you do so. The problem is that there is no street parking around the hotel, no public garages or anywhere to park. Everything around the hotel is privately owned. And these business/residences would also tow my car if I park there. Not only that, but as a woman, I do not feel comfortable or secure walking by myself at 11:30 pm in that area. I don’t think this is legal, so I’m planning on parking at the hotel tomorrow
and see what happens. I want to know if this is legal or not, and why?
Asked on May 1, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
It is 100% legal, and your car may towed and/or you fired for parking on hotel premises. There is NO law which requires employers to make parking available, regardless of where the workplace is; there is also no law which states that an employer cannot have parking rules or job hours that cause a woman to have to walk to her car or public transportation late at night, even in bad areas (think about all the bodegas, 7-11s, etc. located in bad areas or isolated locations that have female employees on night shifts, for example). If you feel this is unfair or unsafe, you have the right to seek other employment and/or simply quit--that's the other side of "employment at will": not only can employees be fired at will, but they can also quit at will, for any reason. Obviously, this may not be a good option for you, but unfortunately, that is the option the law gives you if you feel the job is in an unsafe location or that there's no good way to get there.
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