Q: If you make a mistake at work can your employer make you sign a form declining unemployment if you are ever fired?
My employer has asked me to sign a form agreeing that if I keep my job I will not file for unemployment benefits and if I don't sign I was told I would be fired on the spot. The reason Ive been asked to sign the form is a made a somewhat costly but genuine mistake on the job and damaged the companies product. While this seems completely unethical I question the legality of telling someone sign this saying you wont apply for unemployment and you can keep your job or else youll be fired. the owner of the company did say in the meeting that he has "gotten out of" paying unemployment benefits to anyone who has even been fired at his company. Thank you for your time.
A: Never heard of something like this, but in a sense it is good for you in that if they fire you now you would likely not be eligible for unemployment. Generally if you are fired for cause, you do not get unemployment (there are exceptions though). My guess is that the contract your employer is asking you to sign would be held up.
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