Is it legal for my boss to threaten to fire me if I don’t quit a volunteer position helping a friend with an upstart company?

Is it legal for my boss to threaten to fire me if I don’t quit a volunteer position helping a friend with an upstart company?

I am currently employed at a large, privately owned bakery and in my own free time am volunteering to help a friend with an upstart bagel business. My current employer does not offer bagels. He has threatened to fire me if I do not quite the volunteer position because he feels it is inappropriate for me to work for another bakery.

Asked on June 14, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Maine

Answers:

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