Home Q&A Forum Can my employer change the policies in the employment handbook without notifying the employees?
Trustpilot

Employee Rights

Employment Handbook

California

Asked on Sep 13, 2024

Can my employer change the policies in the employment handbook without notifying the employees?

I recently discovered that my employer made significant changes to the employment handbook, including policies regarding vacation time, sick leave, and disciplinary procedures, without notifying the employees or providing us with an updated version of the handbook. I am concerned about the legality of these changes and whether my employer can enforce them without proper notification and acknowledgment from the employees.

Answers from 1 Lawyer

Answer

Employee Rights

California

Answered 568 days ago

Dolan W.

ContractsCounsel verified

Business Lawyer
Licensed in California
Free Consultation
View Dolan W.
5.0 (317)
Member Since:
September 8, 2024

Hello! I'm so sorry this is happening to you. Generally, if you have a contract (the handbook or policy), then you are bound to those terms. If the employer changes the terms, they are allowed to; however, they need to give you some notice of the change in those specific terms in advance. This means that they should give you notice equal to the time between pay periods (e.g. two weeks). If they make a change, then it's not technically enforceable until you get proper notice. The notice does not need to be in writing. Good luck! Dolan

Use of the ContractsCounsel Q&A Forum does not create an attorney-client relationship between User and any Lawyer User. The Forum is not a substitute for legal advice from a lawyer but is intended to be educational and to help the user determine if legal services are necessary. The Forum, Content, and communications on the Forum do not constitute legal advice.
Meet some lawyers on our platform

Jehan C.

6 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Edward B.

73 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Gregory B.

206 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

Faryal A.

376 projects on CC
CC verified
View Profile

People Also Asked

Employee Rights

Employment Handbook

California

Asked on Oct 27, 2024

Can my employer legally enforce a new policy in the employment handbook without notifying or obtaining consent from employees?

I recently received an updated copy of the employment handbook at my workplace, which included a new policy that significantly changes the dress code requirements. However, I was not notified about this change beforehand, nor was I asked to provide any consent or agreement to the new policy. I am wondering if my employer has the legal right to enforce this policy without proper notification or obtaining consent from the employees.

Patrick W.

Answered Nov 19, 2024

Yes. If you are in an at will state and your employment is not for a period of time, your continued employment and aware of the new policy is adequate grounds for enforcing a new policy as a basis for employment termination or employment discipline.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employee Rights

Employment Handbook

Connecticut

Asked on Jun 19, 2023

Employment handbook employee privacy policy?

I recently started a new job and my employer provided me with an Employment Handbook. I have read through the handbook and noticed that there is not a section on employee privacy policies. I'm concerned that the lack of an employee privacy policy could leave me vulnerable to having my personal information shared without my knowledge or consent. I am interested to learn what kind of legal protections I may have in this situation.

View Thomas L.
5.0 (1)

Thomas L.

Answered Jun 30, 2023

There are numerous state and Federal laws governing your privacy, HIPAA being a notable example, so even if your employer had no handbook at all, your employer would still be subject to all these laws.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employee Rights

Employment Handbook

Connecticut

Asked on Jun 19, 2023

Employment handbook overtime policy?

I recently accepted a new position with a company and was given an employee handbook to review. I was looking over the overtime policy and noticed that it does not appear to be in compliance with the federal and state laws. I am concerned that the policy could leave me in a difficult position if I were to ever be asked to work overtime, so I am looking for advice and guidance from a lawyer to determine if the policy is legally binding.

View Thomas L.
5.0 (1)

Thomas L.

Answered Jul 18, 2023

Private contracts, including employee handbooks, cannot change state and Federal law. So in your case, state and Federal law control, regardless of what your employee handbook says.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employment

Employment Handbook

California

Asked on Aug 10, 2023

Employment handbook confidentiality?

I am an employee of a large company and I recently received a copy of the company's Employment Handbook. I am concerned about the confidentiality of the information contained in the handbook. I want to know what legal obligations I have to keep the information in the handbook confidential, and what the legal consequences are if I do not keep the information confidential.

View Myrna L.
3.8 (3)

Myrna L.

Answered Sep 24, 2023

According to the National Labor Relations Board, Employee Handbooks are not confidential. According to the NLRB, policies that treat Employees Handbooks confidential precludes employees from discussing working conditions, pay and benefits with unions or third parties; this is a violation of Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Employment

Employment Handbook

Washington

Asked on Jul 27, 2023

Employment handbook vacation policy?

I recently accepted a new job and was given an employee handbook to read over. I read the policies regarding vacation time, but I am unclear about how exactly the policy works and what the process is for taking a vacation. I want to make sure I understand the policy correctly and that I am following the correct procedure for requesting vacation time.

5.0 (18)

Merry K.

Answered Aug 18, 2023

Hello - I am a Washington State employment law attorney. It can often be difficult to understand a policy in an employee handbook. I would suggest two things: (1) Do not ask about the policy or how to interpret it until you have completed at least two months on the job - wait until your supervisor and coworkers get to know you; most likely, you are not eligible for vacation leave until you have been on the job for several months anyway. (2) After two months, ask your supervisor about the policy - not HR. Your supervisor is most likely the person who will have to approve your leave, and he or she will appreciate that you went to him or her instead of going to HR.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

View Trustpilot Review
Ask a Question
California Employee Rights lawyers by city

Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.

View Trustpilot Review

I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.

View Trustpilot Review

I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.

View Trustpilot Review

Find lawyers and attorneys by city