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I have been assigned to a new manager because my manager left the company. My previous manager allowed me to flex my schedule to work around my family needs. I work in the State of California "at will" and now my new manager is calling a meeting to discuss my work schedule. I am concerned that she will not allow me the flexibility I need to work from home from time to time. I am salaried non-exempt and we do have other salaried non-exempt employees like me that are allowed to take their lap tops home. I this unfair labor practies. I was able to have the flexible schedule for nearly 1 1/2 years. Two months ago a salaried non exempt employee I know left the company due to personal reasons and received 1 year severance. By policy, she should have only received 1 month max. In addition she started after me and makes 5,000 more than me with no better performance or skill. We have the same title and band. What are my rights in regards to severance if I have to leave and schedule

Submitted: 455 days and 14 hours ago.
Category: Employment Law
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Mission Viejo, California

Already Tried:
I will be meeting with my new manager to discuss my schedule on Tuesday and want to know my rights when it comes to maintaining my schedule. I also want to know if they set the bar by offering another employee 1 year severance who is at the same salary grade as me less years of service.

Posted by INFOLAWYER 455 days and 14 hours ago.

Answer

Severance is a matter of custom, not legal regulation. You should ask for severance matching the office policy for other employees with similar tenture, experience and skill.

455 days and 14 hours ago.

Reply

This partially answered my question,

 

I realize severance is a custom, but shouldn't they want ot offer me the same knowing I know that the other employee received it sets the bar. My company is afraid of getting sued, shouldn't they want to give me the same.

 

My other question you didn't answer is:

 

Do I have legal rights in regards to maintaining my current flexible work schedule? What if she won't allow it, should I just ask for severance and be done?

Posted by INFOLAWYER 455 days and 14 hours ago.

Answer

They should and they probably will but they dont have to.

You dont have a right to maintain your current schedule. It can be revised by the employer at will. while legally this can be done, practically it may not if you ask for the same terms and they value you.

you can ask for a severance and walk away but be aware that the new management may give you nothing.

455 days and 14 hours ago.

Reply

I have a hard time believing that since I am in HR and have evidence of them continuing another employees salary through severance for 1 year that they would not do the same for me. In fact this happened to me one other time when I was pregnant and another girl who also was pregnant received continued pay and I didn't. I got an attorney to send a demand letter and the company quickly responded by putting me back on the payroll until I delivered.

 

My main concern right now is what to do if the new boss doesn't allow me flexibility around my schedule. Also, she said that salaried non-exempt employees should not be allowed to work from home even though I have a company laptop. Is this true? There isn't a company policy as far as I know. In addition, I know of other salaried non-exempt employees working from home. It doesn't seem like employees have much protection at all. n I do know that my company is afraid of getting sued. It is a fortune 500 company.

Posted by INFOLAWYER 455 days and 14 hours ago.

Answer

The employer sets the rules on manner of employment and severance. You really need to understand that point and not approach it as a guarantee.   That said, your employer likely should and will follow the procedure it has practiced with regard to other employees. Try to avoid confrontation and if you decide to leave negotiate the severance you deserve.

455 days and 14 hours ago.

Reply

My employer has a severance policy and severances everyone even employees with poor performance. They did not follow their policy in regards to offering this indiviual 1 year severance. She should have received 2 months.

 

It doesn't seem fair that other employees in my Band would be allowed to work from home occassionally and not me, don't I have any rights?

Posted by INFOLAWYER 455 days and 14 hours ago.

Answer

i cannot stress enough that the employer has discretion here. you are legally not entitled to any severance. practically, it may turn out differently. i cannot stress this anymore than i already have.

i have answered your question and ask that you accept my answer so that i get credit.

Posted by Faye Lee 455 days and 11 hours ago.

Answer

Hello, after reading your question I wanted to give you another opinion because your point is well stated and can be supported and clearly correct in your position. If your employer has a written policy on severance and when the employer apply that policy inconsistent with employees this may very easy establish an adverse impact thereby creating discrimination.

 

Your being in the H/R function know very well how disparity in treatment can impact a department . When you failed to receive the same treatment and the policy was applied to you but not to the co worker then this very well may create a cause of action for you.

 

It appears that when you are compared to your peer who received the enhanced severance package, then you have clearly been adversely impacted. You should raise this as an clear issue on how you have been treated as others have been treated outside the policy. The employer set the rules but can not discriminate within those rules.

 

Now about working from home.... if the employer does not have a policy on how the work from home should be treated you should challenge if they are allowing some employees to work from home and not others. You need to have a clear understanding of the criteria set for working from home. Since little is discussed in your notes about a work at home policy, I can only give you general information. You are in H/R and know how hard you work at ensuring consistency and policy guidelines, draw from how the guidelines are followed. I hope this has helped, but you to see a viewpoint from an employment view. I hope this has helped if so click accept.

 

 

 

Posted by INFOLAWYER 455 days and 11 hours ago.

Answer

Your question did not suggest to me that there was a severance package in place for all departing employees in accordance with a set office policy. If there is such an office policy, then the recent post makes a valid point.   <br /> <br />I have enjoyed assisting you in this regard and wish you good luck.

Edited by NYCLAWYER on 8/25/2008 at 12:41 AM

Posted by Faye Lee 455 days and 2 hours ago.

Info Request

Connie, as you mostly know being in H/R the practice apply the same as if it was a policy, therefore it does not have to be a policy in place to show disparity.

Answer

If I can offer any clarification for you let me know. I realize it must be a little confusing getting responses from more than one expert. Fortunately, we are not in disagreement.

All the best

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Expert: INFOLAWYER
Pos. Feedback: 95.4 %
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Answered: 8/25/2008

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