Forced To Sign A Statement, Then Fired (Nebraska Law)

[GrumpyFish]

This is taking place in Nebraska. We are Right To Work for Union Shops and At Will for everyone else.


Started working at Wal Mart, less than ten days into the job I was called into the back offices.

I was told to sit in front of this piece of paper and pen.

Manager then proceeded to explain that a complaint had been filed about the things I post on Facebook. Specifically related to certain religious groups and my political beliefs (Atheist, and Republican, respectively.) I am also very outspoken on the matter of Muslim Immigration, I refuse to support it for (reasons). This is unacceptable according to policy.

Now... my Facebook page is TOTALLY devoid of any reference to my employer. There are no photographs that could link me to my employer, I do not speak Walmart's name in my Facebook feed at all.

I was then told to write a statement supporting Muslim Immigration and renouncing my negative opinion of Islam. I was also told that I had to make a similar statement saying my political opinions and religious beliefs were in line with that of the Company, as outlined in the policy manual.

I was told this was a condition of continued employment, SO I did.

They terminated me early AM this morning before I could clock in, said that I had violated the company's forward-facing Social Media Awareness policy, that I had put Wal Mart at risk with my statements and that I was not to set foot on Wal Mart property going forward as I was deemed a potential security risk.

Wow.

So lets back up here. First of all, can a company force me to sign a statement renouncing my beliefs, and force me to support a company-approved religion like this? I don't think they can.

Second, nothing I say on my Facebook could be construed as aggressive or provocative. Nothing on my Facebook page could possibly link me to WalMart in any way. Is it legal for WalMart to "thought police" the Social Media to such an extent? This is bordering on "employees must think approved thoughts on and off of company time."


What are my options here? Do I have any in this situation? This on the surface appears to be a major equal-rights violation, discrimination based on religious belief. Not sure what Nebraska's law is on political discrimination.

 

[Zigner]

All perfectly legal.

 

[Proserpina]

This is taking place in Nebraska. We are Right To Work for Union Shops and At Will for everyone else.


Started working at Wal Mart, less than ten days into the job I was called into the back offices.

I was told to sit in front of this piece of paper and pen.

Manager then proceeded to explain that a complaint had been filed about the things I post on Facebook. Specifically related to certain religious groups and my political beliefs (Atheist, and Republican, respectively.) I am also very outspoken on the matter of Muslim Immigration, I refuse to support it for (reasons). This is unacceptable according to policy.

Now... my Facebook page is TOTALLY devoid of any reference to my employer. There are no photographs that could link me to my employer, I do not speak Walmart's name in my Facebook feed at all.

I was then told to write a statement supporting Muslim Immigration and renouncing my negative opinion of Islam. I was also told that I had to make a similar statement saying my political opinions and religious beliefs were in line with that of the Company, as outlined in the policy manual.

I was told this was a condition of continued employment, SO I did.

They terminated me early AM this morning before I could clock in, said that I had violated the company's forward-facing Social Media Awareness policy, that I had put Wal Mart at risk with my statements and that I was not to set foot on Wal Mart property going forward as I was deemed a potential security risk.

Wow.

So lets back up here. First of all, can a company force me to sign a statement renouncing my beliefs, and force me to support a company-approved religion like this? I don't think they can.

Second, nothing I say on my Facebook could be construed as aggressive or provocative. Nothing on my Facebook page could possibly link me to WalMart in any way. Is it legal for WalMart to "thought police" the Social Media to such an extent? This is bordering on "employees must think approved thoughts on and off of company time."


What are my options here? Do I have any in this situation? This on the surface appears to be a major equal-rights violation, discrimination based on religious belief. Not sure what Nebraska's law is on political discrimination.

This is not a wrongful termination.

One thing. Don't claim that Walmart is forcing you to support a religion ... that's not what they said, and that's not what their policy says.

Look a little deeper; while Walmart is hardly the most ethical company in the country, it's by no means the most unethical either and their policies and procedures are - across the board - the most PC you'll ever read.

Of course, you could always type out word for word what the document says ...

Finally, a bit of common sense advice. Never put anything on your social media sites that you don't want your family, employer, lawyer or priest to read*.

(* that's not as black and white as you might think ... the law is changing)

 

[GrumpyFish]

All perfectly legal.

I can be forced to renounce my beliefs and support the company-approved beliefs?

Even when the Equal Opportunity Law says differently?

I'm going to need more information, Zigner.

 

[Proserpina]

I can be forced to renounce my beliefs and support the company-approved beliefs?

Even when the Equal Opportunity Law says differently?

I'm going to need more information, Zigner.

Wordplay isn't going to help you.

I'm going to need more information, GrumpyFish. Like ... what did the document actually say, word for word?

 

[GrumpyFish]

This is not a wrongful termination.

One thing. Don't claim that Walmart is forcing you to support a religion ... that's not what they said, and that's not what their policy says.

Disagree.

I was told to renounce my beliefs and support the company beliefs.

 

[Proserpina]

Disagree.

I was told to renounce my beliefs and support the company beliefs.

Disagree all you want.

Until you tell us EXACTLY what the document says, we can help you no more.

(And don't fake it - trust me, we'll know)

 

[Zigner]

Disagree.

I was told to renounce my beliefs and support the company beliefs.

That's not what you were fired for.

 

[GrumpyFish]

"In accordance with company policy, I hereby renounce my non-standard religious beliefs as they may bring unwanted and negative attention to the company. Further, I renounce my political opinions as they are not in line with corporate standards. Also, in accordance with company policy I hereby renounce my negative opinion of Islam and Muslim persons. Company policy supports the continued free immigration of Muslim persons to the United States. I apologize for any harm or negative impact my opinions have had on Walmart, shareholders, or suppliers. As a condition of continued employment I understand that I will only express opinions that do not damage the company image in any way."

Signed on this date December 22, 2015

[my name]


This is what they forced me to write and sign on a blank sheet of paper yesterday afternoon. I was told that it was required by company policy.

 

[GrumpyFish]

That's not what you were fired for.

Were you there? I don't recall anyone named Zigner in the room with us.

 

[Zigner]

"In accordance with company policy, I hereby renounce my non-standard religious beliefs as they may bring unwanted and negative attention to the company. Further, I renounce my political opinions as they are not in line with corporate standards. Also, in accordance with company policy I hereby renounce my negative opinion of Islam and Muslim persons. Company policy supports the continued free immigration of Muslim persons to the United States. I apologize for any harm or negative impact my opinions have had on Walmart, shareholders, or suppliers. As a condition of continued employment I understand that I will only express opinions that do not damage the company image in any way."

Signed on this date December 22, 2015

[my name]


This is what they forced me to write and sign on a blank sheet of paper yesterday afternoon. I was told that it was required by company policy.

You weren't fired as a result of signing that document, so it's moot.

 

[Zigner]

Were you there? I don't recall anyone named Zigner in the room with us.

You're right - I can only go by what YOU'VE told us. From what YOU'VE told us, you weren't fired because you signed that document.

 

[Proserpina]

"In accordance with company policy, I hereby renounce my non-standard religious beliefs as they may bring unwanted and negative attention to the company. Further, I renounce my political opinions as they are not in line with corporate standards. Also, in accordance with company policy I hereby renounce my negative opinion of Islam and Muslim persons. Company policy supports the continued free immigration of Muslim persons to the United States. I apologize for any harm or negative impact my opinions have had on Walmart, shareholders, or suppliers. As a condition of continued employment I understand that I will only express opinions that do not damage the company image in any way."

Signed on this date December 22, 2015

[my name]


This is what they forced me to write and sign on a blank sheet of paper yesterday afternoon. I was told that it was required by company policy.

Just as I thought.

 

[GrumpyFish]

I was forced to sign this document then I was terminated.

I was forced to renounce my political and religious beliefs in writing and support the beliefs preferred by the company.

This is in no way unclear is it?

Explain to me how this is legal, because:

Section 48-1001. Purpose.

It is the policy of this state to foster the employment of all employable persons in the state on the basis of merit regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, disability, [marital status], or national origin and to safeguard their right to obtain and hold employment without discrimination because of their race, color, religion, sex, disability, [marital status], or national origin. Denying equal opportunity for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, [marital status], or national origin. Denying equal opportunity for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, [marital status] ,or national origin is contrary to the principles of freedom and is a burden on the objectives of the public policy of this state. The policy of this state does not require any person to employ an applicant for employment because of his or her race, color, religion, sex, disability, [marital status], or national origin; and the policy of this state does not require any employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee to grant preferential treatment to any individual or to any group because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, [marital status], or national origin.

So, knowing that the company told me to write this in this exact phrasing, then terminated me... explain how the employer is not engaging in discrimination? I was told my religion or lack of (Atheist) is against company policy and is damaging to the the company, suppliers and shareholders. That's what this statement is saying.

It also says that my politics (staunch Republican since college) are not that of the company -- that the company cannot employ me because my political views are different than the company's policy. Funny how there is no written statement of political-orientation that the company can provide me... or is there?

Spell it out because this is very very troubling. If they can force me to write this, then fire me... then there is something very very wrong.

In other words, the relevant legal passages and precedent. Not opinions, not feelings, not best guesses.

 

[Zigner]

I was forced to sign this document then I was terminated.

I was forced to renounce my political and religious beliefs in writing and support the beliefs preferred by the company.

This is in no way unclear is it?

Explain to me how this is legal, because:




So, knowing that the company told me to write this in this exact phrasing, then terminated me... explain how the employer is not engaging in discrimination? I was told my religion or lack of (Atheist) is against company policy and is damaging to the the company, suppliers and shareholders. That's what this statement is saying.

It also says that my politics (staunch Republican since college) are not that of the company -- that the company cannot employ me because my political views are different than the company's policy. Funny how there is no written statement of political-orientation that the company can provide me... or is there?

Spell it out because this is very very troubling. If they can force me to write this, then fire me... then there is something very very wrong.

In other words, the relevant legal passages and precedent. Not opinions, not feelings, not best guesses.

Go talk to an employment attorney.