Is it legal for an employer to force you to do a job you’ve expressed no interest in?
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Is it legal for an employer to force you to do a job you’ve expressed no interest in?
This particular job was not posted to my knowledge and they did not accept any applications. I asked if
anyone else had applied and they stated they felt I was best suited for the job. I expressed I was not
interested unless perhaps they could increase my wages. When they couldn’t increase my wages I was
told,
Asked on January 26, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Nebraska
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Did your treatment constitute some form of legally actionable discrimination (which you did not indicate)? Did it breach the terms of any applicable union agreement or employment contract? If not then you are an "at will" worker. This means that your employer can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit. This includes having you work when and where you are assigned; your consent is not required.
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Unless you had an unexpired or still-in-effect written employment contract guarantying or specifying your job, i.e. what you do and what job you have (and what you are paid for doing it), is 100% up to your employer. It doesn't matter if you have no interest in it or want it, and the employer does not need your agreement or consent: your employer can make your job be whatever it wants. This is a consequence of "employment at will," which is the law of the land, except and only to the extent modified by written contract.
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