FT Employer trying to limit places I can work PT is it legal?

[DGG]

What is the name of your state? FLORIDA


I work full time for a very large and well known retail establishment yet it's hard to get by on this income alone. I have been working for another retailer part-time for the last year and a half without any problems. Now my superiors at my full time job are questioning me in regards to if I have a second job (not sure how they discovered this) and with what company. I've been told that if it is categorized as a 'competitor' of the store that I could be terminated due to a 'conflict of interest' by working part time at this retail competitor. I was told that this information is on a web page that employees can access on the store's computer system and sure enough it is on there. However when I was hired I was never told about this 'policy' nor did I sign anything agreeing that I would not work for another competitor. In addition I just viewed the current Associate Handbook and there is nothing in there stating this policy. As I stated before I do not have much money so before I were to go to a lawyer I'd like to see if I have a valid case. I do work in Florida which is a right to work state so I'm not sure what rules apply and I've had difficulty trying to get information from the EEOC and other govt agencies thru their websites (typical govt!). If anyone has any knowlegde or knows of any sites or people to contact I would greatly appreciate it. The company I work for is very large and they get lots of lawsuits so I know they have a very good legal team and I want to make sure that I'm in the right before I were to challenge this or if they are right I would need to quit this second job because I need my full time one.
Thanks again for your time and reading this.

Need help in FL!

 

[Meursault]

Quit the parttime job and look for another.

You have no case to challenge anything. Except maybe the unemployment line at 4:30 p.m. on a Friday afternoon.

 

[cbg]

"I've been told that if it is categorized as a 'competitor' of the store that I could be terminated due to a 'conflict of interest' by working part time at this retail competitor. " This is perfectly legal.

"I was told that this information is on a web page that employees can access on the store's computer system and sure enough it is on there. " Then you were told correctly.

"However when I was hired I was never told about this 'policy' nor did I sign anything agreeing that I would not work for another competitor. " They are not required to give you verbal notification of every company policy, nor does the fact that you did not agree in writing to the policy make it invalid.

"In addition I just viewed the current Associate Handbook and there is nothing in there stating this policy. " Makes no difference. I'll bet there's nothing in the Associate Handbook saying you can't set fire to the cafeteria or punch your supervisor in the nose, but you'd sure as heck get fired if you tried either one. Besides, you said it WAS on the company web page.

"I'd like to see if I have a valid case. " You don't. You don't have ANY case, as a matter of fact.

"I do work in Florida which is a right to work state" I agree that Florida is a right to work state, but all that means is that you can't be forced to join a union in order to get work. What's more important is that Florida is also an employment at will state, which means that you can quit at any time and for any reason, and your employer can fire you at any time for any reason not prohibited by law. They are NOT prohibited by law from firing you over a suspected conflict of interest.

"if they are right I would need to quit this second job " They are right. Do what you have to do.

 

[DGG]

hi

Thank you to those who replied ... I appreciate your feedback although it was not the answers I wanted to hear I do appreciate your input ...