Legal Question in Employment Law in Florida
Not sure what to do
Not sure where this fall but I want to know how much leeway does an employer have in questioning you if they suspect something. I was working at a department store part time for a year. Last month, I agreed to extend my associate discount to a friend and apparently that was caught on tape (since I have to put her purchase on my credit card for the discount happen and she paid me back) and I was being watched ever since unknowingly. On Saturday we did it again, I was called and interrogated for about two hours and then the guy from loss prevention dicated a statement that I had to write down, at time he would say ''oh no I not that, write this'' He read every line that I read to approve. I was so shocked and afraid really since they had another associate arrested just Wednesday not sure why that I was afraid the same would happen to me if I did not go along with it. Everyone is working there now in fear, I was lucky that this was my part time job so I did not mind losing it but there are people there who support themselves solely by working there. Is there something that can be done? They claim that it's in the handbook that we cannot give the discount to anyone but I don't remember getting one. Now I have to pay it back.
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Not sure what to do
I think you probably acted improperly and don't think there is much recourse under the facts you state.
Re: Not sure what to do
Employers in Florida are permitted to make and enforceable policies such as the one that likely governs the employee discounts. As a result, if you are providing others (meaning non-employees) with the benefit of the discount in violation of the policy, then your employer likely won't be thrilled. In terms of the questioning portion of your question, if you choose not to answer questions, you are free to avoid doing so, but also keep in mind that both you and the Company can terminate or end your employment at any time, for any reason.
Re: Not sure what to do
The company can ask you whatever they want under the circumstances. You do not have to answer of to give a written statement. It sounds like you may be subject to crimminal prosecution. Obviously, you cannot use YOUR stor discount for someone else. Whether it is in the store policy manuyal or not this seems like a prettyu basic proposition. I would stop making statements that might tend to incriminate you and move on to another job. Sounds like you have lost this one from your post anyway. Hope that they do not pursue the matter. It might get ugly if they do.
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