Can a company control a person outside of the company?

Question

As in, I know you cannot legally say anything bad about the company you work in, or make it look bad in any shape or form, but if a manager says you have to do whatever they want outside of company time, are you legally required or it's prison time?

Answer 1

Yes, many companies do. Sports stars, actors, TV news people, and many others in the public eye have a 'moral turpitude' clause in their contracts. If they are arrested, or found in a compromising position with a prostitute, or found to be lying about something not related to work, can be terminated.

Similarly, if you are heard in a bar saying "I work for xyx and they suck, the manager is whore, and ..." then that's reasonable cause to dismiss you.

In any case, remember most states are 'at-will' - which means the employer and employee both have the right to terminate their contract with NO reason. So an employer can typically fire you without even telling you why they are letting you go.

Answer 2

Depends on the company. I would think that a company that is very image conscious would not want their employees doing anything that would make the company or it's employees look bad at work or outside of work.

If it is just a matter of doing or not doing what your manager asks of you, you may be setting yourself up to be considered difficult by not going the extra mile even if it is outside of work or your job description.

Personally, if you feel uncomfortable, I would address it with your HR department or look for another job.

Answer 3

It depends on your job, say you work for a bank and they are trying to control what you do outside of work, they do not have the right to do that unless they pay you for all of the hours that want to control you and even then they cannot do that.....if you work for the military, CIA, FBI (places like that) they can and tell you what you can and cannot do on your time off.

Answer 4

Well thats just silly.....

unless you work for the CIA