Legal Question in Employment Law in Virginia

Employer Threatening Termination Unless I Purchase a Laptop Computer

My employer told me to purchase a laptop computer or be fired. This requirement was not in my original employment agreement. When my employer first emailed me, this appeared to be optional program because the employer was giving employees that participate a $90.00 per month allowance. However, the employee must by the computer up front or finance it. Employees who leave the company are responsbible for this debt themselves. My employer has refused to provide me written policy concerning this the mandatory nature of the program and is pressuring me. The pressure is causing me serve emotional distress and anxiety.


Asked on 3/07/98, 11:28 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Daniel Press Chung & Press, P.C.

Required laptop

There is no reason an employer cannot do this,provided it is done on a non-discriminatory basis (i.e., all blacks have to buy one, butnot whites), and provided it does not violatean existing contract or collective bargaining agreement. Absent a contract, you are employedat will, and the employer can fire you for anyreason or no reason at all, except for prohibited reasons (discrimination on certain grounds, retaliation for certain whistleblowing,etc.).

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Answered on 3/09/98, 10:18 pm


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