Is my supervisor legally allowed to tell me I cannot contact HR?
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Is my supervisor legally allowed to tell me I cannot contact HR?
I emailed HR a question that dealt with pay inquiries. I work for a security contracting company in IRAQ. Instead of HR answering my question or pointing me in the right direction, they emailed my supervisor. My supervisor brought me into his office and scolded me. I was told that I was not to contact HR directly and if I needed to ever contact them that I was to go through him and others first. Correct me if I am wrong but I thought Human Resources was here to help employees with any type of question. Is it legal for him to tell me I can’t contact my Human resources department without his approval?
Asked on February 17, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Michigan
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Unless this prohibition from directly contacting your HR department breaches company policy, a union agreement or employment contract, it is legal. The fact is that most work relationships are "at will". This means that a company can set the conditions of employmennt much as it sees fit. Accordingly, unless this action constitutes some form of legally actionable discrimination, it is perfectly permissable under the law.
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