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?
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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:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Yes, it is legal so long as you do not have an employment contract which protects or guarantees your employment in some way, this is legal. Without an employment contract, you are an employee at will; an employee at will may be terminated at any time, for any reason--including that your employer does not want you to work for another bakery.
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