There Goes the Door ?!

I really doubt it is illegal. I mean, he is pretty much just letting people know they can quit if they want, that there are other options if they are unhappy in their job. He is not firing anyone, I don't even see it as a threat to fire.
Unprofessional - yes. Annoying - yes. Lowering morale - yes. Rude - I'm gonna say yes. But illegal? - I doubt it. Unfortunately being an a$$ is not illegal.

NJ is an "At Will" employment state, you can be fired with "no good cause" or you can leave for the same reason. So it is not an illegal statement in that way. It can be considered disrespectful, and mean. It can also be considered unprofessional, and make the work place not the friendliest place. However, not illegal.

There are lots of employers who have that attitude. Some for good reason (with complaining employees) and some who just figure it will be easy to replace an employee with so many out of work.

Most states nowadays are "at will" employment states, meaning that the employee or employer can terminate the relationship with no notice or reason. New Jersey is one of those states.

It may be unprofessional, it may be rude, it may not help morale in any way, but the fact is....if you don't like your job, you DO know where the door is.
You can't get unemployment benefits if you quit, so I would try to find another job while you hang on to this one.
You can express your opinion in your meeting that it doesn't seem to boost productivity for your employer to have a "take it or leave it" mentality, but it's not illegal.

You have the right to tell your boss, "Take this job and shove it", but I wouldn't do that without having another job in place.

Just my opinion.

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It doesn't sound like it breaks any laws but I agree it is unprofessional.

I'm not sure how it would be illegal. Other than possibly creating a hostile working environment, but that could be a stretch.

When you say meeting, what type of meeting are you talking about? A large staff meeting? Or a meeting you called with HR or your boss who continuously says it?

"There goes the door"? Huh?

I've heard "there's the door", "the door swings both ways" and even "don't let the door hit you where the Good Lord split you" but "there goes the door"?

O. thing for sure--it's a sign of ignorance! LOL

This needs to be addressed via your company hotline or HR department.

And there are usually 50 willing employees for every position already held--if that's THEIR point. It's true.

I don't think it's illegal, but it doesn't sound like a place I'd want to work for very long.

I highly doubt it's against the law, but it sure is a great way to alienate and demoralize the current employees. Whether I would say anything about this to your company is really, really dependent on the cultural climate of the employer. Although you could always go to HR with this complaint, just remember who they work for! For me, this would probably lead me to begin the process of finding a new job.

Added: Now, get back to your TPS reports!! (sorry, Hazel reminded me of the movie Office Space -- hilarious movie!)

Not sure this is something to bring up in a meeting. Can you discuss this with the person who is saying it?

Take it up with HR. That's HORRIBLE management. A manager will not have a successful team if she can't get everyone to work together, trust each other, and support the same goal. Isn't that management 101?

It's bad management, bad communication, bad practice. Often staff will be required to do things they don't particularly like, or agree with, but it is well worth any employer's time and effort to give their employees an explanation as to why they are required to do it. Understanding the reason behind a policy, practice or procedure aids in acceptance of it.

When I implement a new practice say, to improve efficiency, I will usually trial it for a period in one of my offices. I will then gather feedback and evidence from stakeholders (usually staff involved), and assess how it worked. Armed with evidence, it is far easier for staff to see why they should do something a certain way.

Also, good morale in a workplace goes a long long way to reducing staff turnover. A high staff turnover is very costly to an organisation in terms of recruitment, training, and productivity. A little common sense, mutual respect and adult communication will fix it up.

Some people just have no communications or emotional intelligence. Sheesh. Good luck!

I wouldn't bring it up, unless you're going to HR. Otherwise, I'd keep quiet. If a manager is saying this, chance are he/she doesn't want to hear what a morale-buster it is.

Job market is improving in so many fields right now, it's a pretty stupid move to be saying that. Those words are going to come back to bite them as people do go out that door to better opportunities.

I don't think it's illegal but it is a power play. Mainly to stop whining. I wouldn't bring it up because you'll probably hear it again. Do I think it's right? - NO. I understand your frustration. Have you started looking for other jobs? You shouldn't have to work for people like that, esp. if it upsets you. And, when you do find a new job - your last words should be, "There goes the door!!!"

There goes the door? What does that even mean? Is the employer trying to say if you don't like my decision, there's the door...leave...quit?

That isn't illegal as far as I know. The only way I can think that it would be illegal is if you are a contractual employee and your contract states that you will be offered an opportunity to question your superior's decisions prior to acting on them and the likelihood of having that in a contract is super slim.

But, just because it isn't illegal doesn't mean you can't take it to your superior's superior and ask that they ask him/her to stop saying it because you find it unprofessional. I doubt they will, but you never know.

Good luck with your meeting.

I don't think it is illegal.
However I have worked with people that I wanted to say it to, because they would complain about every little thing. I worked with a couple of people that were just not happy about anything and they should have been happy to have jobs that paid well with inexpensive health insurance, paid 10 days vacation and 10 paid sick days.
Maybe you work with people that need to find jobs elsewhere if they are that unhappy. I would mention that it is offending for a boss or supervisor to be saying it, no matter if it is directed at someone or not. It is just rude.

It depends on what this person is referring to. If it is something illegal or dangerous, then yes, they cannot force you to do it. That would be illegal.

If it is unpaid overtime and you are an hourly employee, then no, if that is not part of your contract.

If you are on salary, then you may need to remind them there needs to be compensation with time off if they are not going to pay. This may even mean in set or promised future..

I know in Retail as a buyer, I was on salary and during the holidays it was expected we be there as needed if not enough sales people appeared and we were to make sure we worked the extra hours that the store would be open.. But later in Jan and Feb , we would be able to take off some time to make up for it.

We also knew that just because I was buyer, did not mean if none of the custodians showed up I would not be expected to mop the ladies room or help throw out the trash.. We did what ever it took to keep the store running.

If it is just your job, then this is the bottom line. You can do the work and what ever needs to be done or you can make the choice that you do not want to stay there.

His comment is disrespectful, rude and very unprofessional, but against the law... No, of course not. If your going to make an issue about this be ready to find the door. First, say how much you enjoy your work and co-workers but when trying to do your job by make a suggestion or having a difference of opinion always being threaten with the 'door' make you feel unappreciated and disrespected.
Good Luck.

It's workplace bullying, poor management and definitely not going to build morale, but it is not illegal. Who is saying it and who is the meeting with? If it's your direct supervisor, you may have some luck in going to HR or upper management with a complaint, especially if several people will back it up. If it's the owner of the company, you likely won't get anywhere with a complaint, as it is not against the law to suggest that if employees don't like the workplace, they can quit.