I work for a contracted call center, and have been working remotely since Covid really hit in 2020. The level of micromanagement over calls and verbiage is through the fuckin' roof, but I require sustenance and shelter, so I keep my head down and continue doing my best because my paycheck supports more than just myself.
I'm reliable and hardly ever miss scheduled shifts. I have decent stats, lots of good reviews, but always feel I could be dismissed on a whim, at a moment's notice, should I happen to piss off the wrong person. Because of that, I have gotten really good at just staying off the boss' radar, and continuing to produce the results they want.
Yesterday I was effectively ordered to sign a document stating that I wouldn't go to work for any competitor, as long as I was still currently working for this employer. OK, that makes sense, but the language used was downright offensive, because the letter effectively stated “You need to ask management for permission to get a second job, should you need to get a second job.”
This, from a job that pays so poorly that I qualify for Medicaid, while still working full-time for my employer. I laugh when insurance open enrollment starts, because the insurance contracts offered are so terrible, it would be a complete downgrade to get one.
Today my inbox contained a “binding arbitration agreement” that stated it applied for all past, present, and future issues that could possibly be litigated in a court of law.
Obv, I don't want to sign it because it's a giant fucking cop out by the employer to get away with any and all terrible/unethical business practices, but I'm afraid not to sign it because they can just fire me for not signing it. I'm not expecting lawyer-level responses, but what legal grounds do I have to tell them to fuck off and that I'm not going to sign their agreement?