Sage-Tips

Can my job force me to work at another location?

, California Licensed Attorney, practicing employment law. An employer cannot literally force you to do anything. However, an employer can ask you to work at a different location. If you refuse, that employer can lawfully terminate you just for that, and that would not be considered a wrongful termination.

Can an employer require employees to live within a certain distance of the workplace?

The simple answer to these questions is yes, your employer can making hiring and firing decisions based on where you live. Some employers view potential employees with a long commute as risky. Government employers might also require employees live within the city or county in which they work.

Can you be forced to relocate for work?

There may be a written term in your contract of employment requiring you to move to another location on request. Where there is such a term, you need to be very cautious before refusing to move, because this could lead to your dismissal for breaching the contract (i.e. refusing to obey your employer’s lawful order).

Can my employer move my job location?

Yes, in some cases. Generally, unless an employment contract or a collective bargaining agreement states otherwise, an employer may change an employee’s job duties, schedule or work location without the employee’s consent.

Can an employer ask how far away you live?

As an employer, you may prefer someone who lives close to work. Therefore, you might want to ask about where a candidate or employee lives. However, you can’t ask about the length of someone’s commute or where they live in the city.

Can you dictate where an employee lives?

Can an employer require employees to live within a certain distance of the workplace? Employees should generally be free to make their own decisions about where they live and their commute to work. The key for an employer is to ensure that it does not impose any condition that it cannot justify.

Can an employer tell you where to live?

“The short answer is yes, employers can discriminate against you based on where you live. In fact, she said many government employers require that employees live within the boundaries of a city or county.

Can employer change my schedule last minute?

In most cases, yes. Federal employment laws—most notably the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)—allow for a number of employer changes, including changing the employee’s schedule. Some states have predictive scheduling laws that require the employer to give the employee advance notice of any schedule changes.

Can a company force you to relocate for the job?

Moving for the Job. If you’re currently working in one city and your employer wants you to move to another city to continue working, you’ll probably have to relocate if you want to keep your job. An employer can’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do, but it can force you to agree to conditions in order to keep working with the company.

Can my employer legally move me to a different location?

If you are an at-will employee without a contract limiting your employer’s ability to move you to a different location then there is nothing illegal about their decision to move you to a different location, unless their decision to move you is based on your status as a member of a protected class.

What should I do if my employer wants me to move?

When your employer wants you to move and you simply can’t stomach it, there’s really only one other option: Start looking for a new job. When you break the news to your supervisor that you’d rather leave than move, she may try to make concessions to keep you, especially if you’re a unique, valued employee.

Is relocating for work a good idea?

Relocating for work is a tough road, even for people who actually want to make a move. When your employer asks you to relocate and you’re less than thrilled about the idea, it can be an even harder decision to make. In that case, deciding what to do may come down to how much you like your job and your current employer.