Can my employer threaten to fire me if I contact a former employee?
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Can my employer threaten to fire me if I contact a former employee?
An employee was fired recently and we were told that we needed to unfriend the person on facebook and have no contact with her or we would be fired. Is this legal?
Asked on May 8, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Oregon
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Yes, it is legal, assuming that you do not have an employment contract (including a union or collective bargaining agreement) which directly or indirectly prohibits this. Otherwise, employers are free to set the terms and conditions of employment, and to create rules and policies; such terms, conditions, rules, and policies can include not contacting terminated employees, either generally or in specific cases. If you do not follow your employer's instructions, you may be terminated or have other action taken against you (e.g. suspended, written up, demoted, etc.). Remember: in the absence of a contract, employment is employment at will, and either you or the employer may end it any time, for any reason.
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