Issues with my place of employment

[indianachris]

I work for a large corporation and I only go to the physical location (Louisville, KY) once a month for a meeting. I carry a pocket knife (SOG Trident) on me to cut plastic all day while I'm out and about working.

In the meeting I had on Saturday, We were all given a paper telling us that is forbidden to carry weapons on us or in our vehicle and that we can be searched at any time. It was also worded that we can't have anything that can be used as a weapon on us.

I brought up the fact that I can only be searched while I'm on their property and that my steel toes boots could be a weapon along with the chair I'm sitting in.

I was supposed to sign a paper that I acknowledged the new policy but didn't since I had the knife on me and that I think it should be worded better. Your thoughts?

 

[threefiftyfour]

I see two options

1. Lie like every other employee.
2. Update your resume.

 

[G_Stines]

Take your concerns to your supervisor, if they won't listen, start climbing the ladder until you find someone who will. If you get to the top and no one genuinely cares about the safety of their employees and the concerns they have, leave. Just my .02.

After thought, you could always go to legal an express your concern about how this opens them up to a wrongful termination suit. I mean... Jason Bourne killed a guy with a ballpoint pen. Everything has weapon potential, the mind simply must force the body to make use of it.

 

[indianachris]

I did update my resume and I'm supposed to hear from HR about the new policy. I'm willing to bet that I will never hear another word about it until I bring it up again.

Can I be searched legally if they wanted to?

 

[Westside]

I did update my resume and I'm supposed to hear from HR about the new policy. I'm willing to bet that I will never hear another word about it until I bring it up again.

Can I be searched legally if they wanted to?

IANAL...That being said.
only if you consent. That is why they put they can search you whenever they want in the paper they wanted you to sign.

 

[G_Stines]

IANAL...That being said.
only if you consent. That is why they put they can search you whenever they want in the paper they wanted you to sign.

I agree with this statement. They essentially wanted a written copy of you waiving your rights. Since you didn't authorize it, your rights are still intact and thus, your job in potential jeopardy. If they attempt to search you and refuse you could be terminated but if they do and find a knife, or scissors or whatever they are looking for still terminated. Fight the good fight but also remember that it is always better to resign than be fired. Unless you plan on cashing in for unemployment.

 

[threefiftyfour]

As we all know, anything can be used to kill or hurt someone. Your company is trying to CYA with a policy that prohibits you from having anything that could be used as a weapon. They will be able to say that you were in violation of company policy if you were to attack someone.

 

[88GT]

I agree with this statement. They essentially wanted a written copy of you waiving your rights. Since you didn't authorize it, your rights are still intact and thus, your job in potential jeopardy. If they attempt to search you and refuse you could be terminated but if they do and find a knife, or scissors or whatever they are looking for still terminated. Fight the good fight but also remember that it is always better to resign than be fired. Unless you plan on cashing in for unemployment.

Signing the policy page doesn't waive his rights. It's just another tool to be used against him in the event that he refuses a search and is consequently terminated. Should he sue for the manner in which he was terminated, they'll trot out that little piece of paper, his refusal to be searched, and voila!

OP they can't forcibly search you. But your refusal has consequences. So does your disregard for the policy if you are "caught". Weigh the opportunity costs carefully and make your choice accordingly.

 

[Hogwylde]

Point out the fact that you can't sign the form because the pen you would have to use to sign it with makes an EXCELLENT stabbing weapon. Also insist that they immediately remove all pens, pencils, etc that could be used as stabbing weapons.

 

[Clay]

IANAL...That being said.
only if you consent.

and if you don't consent, prepare to start packing your stuff because you will be gone.

 

[VERT]

My company has a "No Weapons" policy. Just your standard CYA BS. A knife is a tool and an unloaded gun is a paper weight. But hey if you stab your boss in the neck with a pencil they can fire you for having a weapon.

 

[cschwanz]

Good thing you are carrying a box opening tool in your pocket and not something you intend to use to inflict harm upon someone.

 

[GaDawg]

My company did away with personal knifes and replaced them with company approved cutting tools aka box cutters with razor blades you know cause they only cut boxes

 

[Bunnykid68]

Sign the paper, just not with your name, they probably won't even notice.

 

[HeadlessRoland]

Sign the paper, just not with your name, they probably won't even notice.

Then it's intentional misrepresentation, maybe even fraud.
Good call.

"This unchecked aggression will not stand."

 

[Sticky]

...
In the meeting I had on Saturday, We were all given a paper telling us that is forbidden to carry weapons on us or in our vehicle and that we can be searched at any time. It was also worded that we can't have anything that can be used as a weapon on us.

Your car keys can be used as a weapon... Maybe they want you to walk there to be in compliance? Hopefully, someone will say that KY has the same law that IN does about employee parking lots and weapons.

I'd start firing out resumes, if that's an option; and hope potential employers don't call the current one for references? <- easy for me to say since I am retired. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[js24]

My understanding is that for Indiana, the blade must be larger than 3.5 inches to be considered a weapon. I have worked for corporations that have asked for the same document to be signed. I still carried my knife on me and when people asked, I stated the law and told them my blade wasn't big enough to legally be considered a weapon. I can still cut with it and yes, it could technically kill someone, but the law is the law. My knife is within the size limitations and therefore, by law, it's not a weapon. Upon doing stating that, I've never been pushed by anyone to remove it. If I was, then I would elevate it to hr. I've also found that if you just wear yours where the body is inside your pocket versus showing, you pretty much never get questions. Just like CC. I starting doing that a year or two ago and have only received one question since and it ended quickly after I brought up the law scenario.