Can I carry at work?

[WildBill]

Interesting. Does the manual define who is authorized to give authorization?

No, but most of the bosses are never in offices, and they themselves are big hunters. HR you might see on the way to the restroom. If I asked anyone I think it would come out awkward. Hey, is there any coffee? Is it cool that I have a gun? Wanna see my holster? Yeah, I wouldn't be comfortable with that.

"Wanna see my holster" is different that showing you a gun.

[C-dub]

Interesting. Does the manual define who is authorized to give authorization?

No, but most of the bosses are never in offices, and they themselves are big hunters. HR you might see on the way to the restroom. If I asked anyone I think it would come out awkward. Hey, is there any coffee? Is it cool that I have a gun? Wanna see my holster? Yeah, I wouldn't be comfortable with that.

I wouldn't ask either. I would make my choice and go with it and not discuss it with anyone except my wife.

[sammeow]

This is verbatim what my employee manual says, "Firearms, weapons, and other dangerous devices or substances are prohibited from the premises of Xxxxxxxxx without proper authorization."


Is a CHL proper authorization?

From a business standpoint, No.
Xxxxxxxxx is a private entity and your employment with them is voluntary. They pay you to do a job and abide by their rules.
Failure to do so might result in justified termination for violation of company policy.

Sorry if it sounds a little harsh but it is how the private sector works.
Now you might seek out the head of HR and ask them who you talk to about authorization.

[jmra]

Now you might seek out the head of HR and ask them who you talk to about authorization.

The only way I would ever consider this approach is if I had made the decision to leave the company if I did not get authorization.

[WildBill]

Now you might seek out the head of HR and ask them who you talk to about authorization.

The only way I would ever consider this approach is if I had made the decision to leave the company if I did not get authorization.

I wouldn't talk to HR, I would go to the top guy and ask him for authorization.
The president or an officer of the company could give you permission.
The head of HR could only deny it.
Have your signed letter of resignation in your pocket before you knock on his door.

[jmra]

Now you might seek out the head of HR and ask them who you talk to about authorization.

The only way I would ever consider this approach is if I had made the decision to leave the company if I did not get authorization.

I wouldn't talk to HR, I would go to the top guy and ask him for authorization.
The president or an officer of the company could give you permission.
The head of HR could only deny it.
Have your signed letter of resignation in your pocket before you knock on his door.

[gringo pistolero]

On the other hand, if somebody is reluctant to ask the boss, maybe they know deep down a CHL is not what the policy means by authorized.

[WildBill]

On the other hand, if somebody is reluctant to ask the boss, maybe they know deep down a CHL is not what the policy means by authorized.

I would agree with that statement.

[E10]

Texas is an 'at will' employment state - you can be terminated at any time for any reason, just as you can quit at any time for any reason. Federal law protects employees from discrimination or harassment based on sex, race, age, disability, color, creed, national origin, or religion. But if you're not part of a protected group, you're outa luck. So you might be takin' a chance by packin' on the job.

I would strike up a conversation with one or more of the huntin' bosses and invite 'em to your range. They get to know you outside the office, and maybe you find out who might give you authorization to carry at work. I'm an HR guy, and I can guess that the policy is written as you say to allow executives and/or somebody in management to carry at work. That's how I've written policies for some clients who wish to allow some leeway for selected individuals.

[WildBill]

I would strike up a conversation with one or more of the huntin' bosses and invite 'em to your range. They get to know you outside the office, and maybe you find out who might give you authorization to carry at work. I'm an HR guy, and I can guess that the policy is written as you say to allow executives and/or somebody in management to carry at work. That's how I've written policies for some clients who wish to allow some leeway for selected individuals.

In your experience as an HR guy have you ever seen an executive or somebody in management give any employee leeway to carry at work?

[E10]

In your experience as an HR guy have you ever seen an executive or somebody in management give any employee leeway to carry at work?

Uh, yeah, actually, I was the one given permission to carry. But I wasn't the HR guy or a rank-and-file employee, I was a manager. But it couldn't hurt the OP to get to know some o' the bosses and carefully feel out the possibility. Might take a little time, and a tactful touch, but I think it could be done. Also, if he's a good employee, as I assume, it doesn't hurt to get noticed. A boss that has a CHL, as might be the case, will know you're more law-abiding and responsible than the general population. A plus in my book, for what it's worth.

[WildBill]

In your experience as an HR guy have you ever seen an executive or somebody in management give any employee leeway to carry at work?

Uh, yeah, actually, I was the one given permission to carry. But I wasn't the HR guy or a rank-and-file employee, I was a manager. But it couldn't hurt the OP to get to know some o' the bosses and carefully feel out the possibility. Might take a little time, and a tactful touch, but I think it could be done. Also, if he's a good employee, as I assume, it doesn't hurt to get noticed. A boss that has a CHL, as might be the case, will know you're more law-abiding and responsible than the general population. A plus in my book, for what it's worth.

What kind of company? Private or corporation? IMO that would make a big difference.

I hate to be so negative, but in my experience most large corporations are have policies and rules that are extremely difficult to grant exceptions unless there is a compelling reason. And that reason is not the employee's right to self defense.

[SecurityGeek]

Texas Senate Bill 321, passed in 2011, "prohibit(s) a public or private employer from prohibiting an employee who holds a concealed handgun license issued by the Department of Public Safety or who otherwise lawfully possesses a firearm or ammunition from transporting or storing a firearm or ammunition the employee is lawfully authorized to possess in a locked, privately owned motor vehicle in a parking area the employer provides for employees, with certain exceptions.

The bill specifies that the prohibition does not prohibit an employer from prohibiting an employee who holds a concealed handgun license, or who otherwise lawfully possesses a firearm, from possessing a firearm the employee is otherwise authorized by law to possess on the premises of the employer's business. “Premises” has the meaning provided in Penal Code Section 46.035(f)(3).

The bill provides immunity from civil liability for a public or private employer or the employer's principal, officer, director, employee, or agent for any damages resulting from or arising out of an occurrence involving a firearm or ammunition transported or stored in accordance with the bill's provisions, except in cases of gross negligence, and establishes that such immunity does not limit or alter the personal liability of an individual or employee who engages in certain actions involving a firearm or ammunition."

Basically, they can keep you from carrying in the office but cannot prevent you from storing your weapon in your car during work hours. While I'm not a fan of keeping a firearm in my car when I'm not also in my car, at least I do not have to leave the house unarmed. And we do have a gated parking garage, which helps.

When I challenged my HR folks on this, as our employee handbook still lists the pre-2011 prohibition of firearms on premises (including the parking facilities), they told me that they knew about the change in the law, and while they had no plans to try to enforce a now-illegal policy, they were not going to update the published policy.

[nightmare]

As far as I can tell, the law doesn't prohibit the company from having the policy. It prohibits acting on it, in Texas.

I think of it like some old deed restrictions. Many can no longer be enforced but it's not illegal for them to exist.

[rockinar]

No it's not illegal for him to carry on grounds at work. But it is company policy. It's their private property. They make they rules. If you get caught, expect to get fired and there's nothing you can say.