Can a company require an employee to do volunteer work on their off time?
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Can a company require an employee to do volunteer work on their off time?
Asked on April 27, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, New Jersey
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
An employer cannot force an employee to do this or anything else. However, unless you have a company policy to the contrary or a union/employment agreement that doesn't allow for such action, you could be fired for not doing so. In the majority of states employment is "at will", therefore while you have the right to work for an employor or not , they in turn have the right to hire or fire as they see fit. In other words you can be terminated for any reason or no reason at all. Therefore, if you don't volunteer, you could find yourself without a job.
Note: If you feel some form pof discrimination is a factor here, then you may have an actionable claim.
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