New weapons policy at work.

[PhilBob]

IANAL - It is my understanding that companies are free to establish any kind of policy they wish and whether an employee can carry on their premises, open or concealed, is per their policy, not by what is legal or not in regard to OC/CC in Texas. However, with certain exceptions they cannot prevent you from having a weapon in your private vehicle in the parking lot. I do believe their policy can extend to company owned vehicles and equipment as opposed to private vehicles.

I can understand them wanting to extend their prohibition to any work related activity at a "customer, supplier or vendor" as they may feel that it could negatively affect the business relationship depending on the position with regard to 2A rights that each may have. However, I think that the posting or not posting of 30.06/30.07 signs by the "customer, supplier or vendor" would be the overriding factor.

On the other hand, even if OC/CC is totally acceptable to the "customer, supplier or vendor" I guess they can fire the employee should they find out one violated company policy at a "customer, supplier or vendor" site whether the employer has the legal right or not to extend that policy to work related activities off-site. I also don't know what the employer's liability might be in the event of any kind of firearms related incident involving an employee involved in work-related activity. Would someone have a case for wrongful termination? I have no idea.

I would not inform HR of the fact that I have a LTC; that is my business.

[Solaris]

And yes, I understand their intent, but they did not word it correctly to prohibit license holders. Just remember that Texas is an at-will state, and you could be fired if caught, even though this policy is poorly worded and doesn't convey their real intent.

Even if you never carry (anywhere; say you got LTC to bypass NICS), if you have a LTC and do not register, you can be fired.

[Breny414]

And yes, I understand their intent, but they did not word it correctly to prohibit license holders. Just remember that Texas is an at-will state, and you could be fired if caught, even though this policy is poorly worded and doesn't convey their real intent.

Even if you never carry (anywhere; say you got LTC to bypass NICS), if you have a LTC and do not register, you can be fired.

Not sure if LTC status is public information that is available to employers via a background check. Therefore, if you keep your status secret, I'm not sure there will be any repercussions. IANAL, but I would think the employer risks a lawsuit in this case if they fire you for your LTC status. Asking to register your LTC seems extremely invasive to me, like a virginity test or something.

[Solaris]

And yes, I understand their intent, but they did not word it correctly to prohibit license holders. Just remember that Texas is an at-will state, and you could be fired if caught, even though this policy is poorly worded and doesn't convey their real intent.

Even if you never carry (anywhere; say you got LTC to bypass NICS), if you have a LTC and do not register, you can be fired.

Not sure if LTC status is public information that is available to employers via a background check. Therefore, if you keep your status secret, I'm not sure there will be any repercussions. IANAL, but I would think the employer risks a lawsuit in this case if they fire you for your LTC status. Asking to register your LTC seems extremely invasive to me, like a virginity test or something.

Was public at one time, is not anymore.

Texas is at-will state; fire for any reason other than protected class.

[MeMelYup]

This is the new wording. What are your opinions on it?

Except where expressly authorized by the Company or permitted by state and local laws, the possession, use or sale of weapons, firearms, or explosives on Company property or in Company buildings, on customer, supplier, or vendor property, while operating Company vehicles, machinery, or equipment at any time or personal vehicles while engaged in work-related activities, or while engaged in Company business on premises is forbidden. This policy applies to all Associates even if an Associate has a valid permit to carry a firearm. Company requests Associates register with the local HR Representative if they have a valid permit to possess or carry a firearm. Violations of this policy are required to be reported to a supervisor immediately. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination of employment and possible reporting to local law enforcement oficials.

I think you are reading it wrong. The first part,
("Except where expressly authorized by the Company or permitted by state and local laws, the possession, use or sale of weapons, firearms, or explosives on Company property or in Company buildings, on customer, supplier, or vendor property, while operating Company vehicles, machinery, or equipment at any time or personal vehicles while engaged in work-related activities, or while engaged in Company business on premises is forbidden. This policy applies to all Associates even if an Associate has a valid permit to carry a firearm.")
states that an employee is not allowed to carry under LTC while on the clock, even if you are off the premisies at a vendors site in your own vehicle. It has nothing to do with the parking lot law or MPA. If you are going to a vendors location and your firearm stays in the console, you have done nothing wrong. Now reporting your LTC status to the HR is none of their business.

[Soccerdad1995]

This is the new wording. What are your opinions on it?

Except where expressly authorized by the Company or permitted by state and local laws, the possession, use or sale of weapons, firearms, or explosives on Company property or in Company buildings, on customer, supplier, or vendor property, while operating Company vehicles, machinery, or equipment at any time or personal vehicles while engaged in work-related activities, or while engaged in Company business on premises is forbidden. This policy applies to all Associates even if an Associate has a valid permit to carry a firearm. Company requests Associates register with the local HR Representative if they have a valid permit to possess or carry a firearm. Violations of this policy are required to be reported to a supervisor immediately. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination of employment and possible reporting to local law enforcement oficials.

I think you are reading it wrong. The first part,
("Except where expressly authorized by the Company or permitted by state and local laws, the possession, use or sale of weapons, firearms, or explosives on Company property or in Company buildings, on customer, supplier, or vendor property, while operating Company vehicles, machinery, or equipment at any time or personal vehicles while engaged in work-related activities, or while engaged in Company business on premises is forbidden. This policy applies to all Associates even if an Associate has a valid permit to carry a firearm.")
states that an employee is not allowed to carry under LTC while on the clock, even if you are off the premisies at a vendors site in your own vehicle. It has nothing to do with the parking lot law or MPA. If you are going to a vendors location and your firearm stays in the console, you have done nothing wrong. Now reporting your LTC status to the HR is none of their business.

I am having trouble following your interpretation. IANAL, but I think that the opening clause "except where expressly authorized by the company OR permitted by state and local laws..." modifies the rest of the opening sentence. A LTC holder is expressly permitted by state laws to carry their weapon anywhere they can legally do so, and since there is no 30.06 posted anywhere, I think they are telling employees that they are free to CC.

This is reinforced by the third sentence where they are asking LTC holder employees to register with HR. This is clearly stated as a request, and the information would be pointless if these same employees were prohibited from carrying by the rest of the policy.