A right to work state?

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I work in a hospital in South Carolina. Any time I question why things are done the way they are done, I get the response "SC is a right to work state". No one seems to be able to explain what this means.

Some of the things I have put together from what people tell me is:

1. You have to thank your employer frequently that they have given you the right to have a job.

2. Talking about $$$ that you make will be frowned upon and could get you fired.

Any help? :chair: Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I have lived in right-to-work states and non. Working in a right to work state means you have a 'right to work with few rights'.

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How do you find out if a state is right to work or not. Sounds like I need to be in a non right to work state.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello, HARRN2b,

Here is a link from Wikipedia about Right to Work states:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-to-work_law

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Specializes in Critical Care.

It's meant as an implied threat.

"Right to work" means that both you AND your employer are in an 'at will' contract. Either party can withdraw, at any time, without reason.

The implication is to keep your mouth shut if you want a job because there doesn't have to be a 'reason' to fire you.

Except for violations of Federal and State law (EEOC, FMLA, ADA, Whistleblower, etc.), there is no such thing as 'wrongful termination'.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in ICF/MR, ER.

"Right To Work" does not, in any way, shape, manner or form, mean you have a right to gainful employment.

All "right to work' means is that union membership cannot be made a condition of employment.

That's all.

Nothing else.

If you want to do some research, find out who bankrolls pro-right-to-work organizations. Most likely, you'll find the same groups supporting right to work that oppose any kind of pro-worker initiative.

lpnadmin

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"Right to work" means that both you AND your employer are in an 'at will' contract. Either party can withdraw, at any time, without reason.

All "right to work' means is that union membership cannot be made a condition of employment.

It is my understanding, both are true.

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Specializes in PACU, PICU, ICU, Peds, Education.
It is my understanding, both are true.

State right-to-work laws vary. In my state, only the non-union aspect is true. While sometimes we are told that we are "at will" employees, it is in fact very difficult to fire anyone. (we have tried!). Many of the things that have gotten people fired, according to postings on allnurses, would not even rate a blip in our institution. Most take several months of official "review" by our administration and legal team.

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Siri,

thank you for the link!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

You are welcome, HARRN2b,

You are wise to check out the differing states' laws/regs.

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Siri,

Great link. Thanks. Explanation short and right on point.

All postings have been great. Have much better understanding. Still can't figure out how the correlation happens "if you talk about salary you can be fired".:rolleyes:

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

you are most welcome, mu/wvugradrn

.

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