Workplace carry

[Shaggy]

I just took the class this past weekend and I was fairly certain that I would be allowed to carry up to my place of work and leave the firearm in my car, however this excerpt from our employee handbook seems to indicate different. Is this in contradiction with the law? Can they lawfully keep me from even keeping it in my car in the parking lot? I didn't think that they could but wanted to get some other opinions.

[Name withheld] commitment to providing an exemplary working environment for our team members
and customers requires that each and every team member behave in an ethical and professional
manner at all times. To preserve these principles, certain types of conduct have been determined
to be unacceptable and grounds for immediate dismissal without benefit of progressive disciplinary
measures. Termination may be at the sole discretion of the company. The enumeration below of
certain Standards of Conduct does not alter the at-will nature of the team member’s employment,
which is defined in the opening portion of this handbook. Although it is not possible to provide an
exhaustive list of these Standards of Conduct, the following should be considered as a
representative list:

• Possession of firearms, weapons, mace, or pepper spray on company premises or common
  areas, or at company-sponsored events or activities, or in company vehicles, and/or when
  representing the company.

[HerbM]

Yes, they can legally. It doesn't sound like they specified YOUR car but did say their property.

This needs changing as they have recently done in Florida, but more importantly the whole "company can fire you for exercising your rights" thing needs changing even more.

It's not like they actually PROTECT you while you are at work.

That is pretty much the law. BTW, if they don't post a 30.06 sign, then *I* can come visit you (with permission to enter) and carry there.

Most companies in Texas know it is bad for business to post a 30.06 but will still insult their employees with these hidden rules in the "manual".

[BigBlueDodge]

Yes, your employer has absolutely every right to restrict firearms from their parking lots. However, I did recall that before they could restrict you, they had to provide a safe parking area by having a protected, gated, parking lot where all entry/exit points were monitored by security guards.

Florida has changed their laws to allow employees to carry/store firearms in their cars in employee parking lots. I fully expect that Texas will eventually get to that point as well. I have been told Rick Perry is supportive of this notion, if it gets past the congress.

[Keith B]

Yes, your employer has absolutely every right to restrict firearms from their parking lots. However, I did recall that before they could restrict you, they had to provide a safe parking area by having a protected, gated, parking lot where all entry/exit points were monitored by security guards.

AFAIN, this is not correct. There is no requirement for them to provide you a safe parking area before they can restrict you. Your employer has the right to terminate you for any violation of the company policy. This includes possession of firearms.

Now, unless they have worded the policy per 30.06 or given you verbal notice, I don't think you can be charged legally, but you will definitely be out of work.