If your employer asks you to do something concerning

What are my rights?

If my employer asks me to do something I think is against the law, can I turn them down?

Your employer has responsibilities: to direct the work you do, pay your wages, and provide a safe place to work. You have responsibilities in return. These include doing the work you were hired to do and being loyal to your employer. But you don’t have to follow instructions that are unreasonable or unlawful. Learn your rights and options if your employer asks you to do something concerning. 

What you should know

Work out the problem

Who can help

If your employer asks you to do something illegal or dangerous, you should seek legal advice. There are options for free or low-cost legal advice.

Reviewed for legal accuracy by

Mary Thibodeau, Moore Edgar Lyster LLP and Leanne M. Walsh, West Coast Workplace Law

Mary Thibodeau
Leanne M. Walsh

Also on this topic

Still not sure what to do?

If you're looking for advice specific to your situation, there are options for free or low-cost help.

Options for legal help

This website explains in a general way the law that applies in British Columbia, Canada. The information is not intended as legal advice. The cases we refer to reflect real experiences, but names have been changed. See our full disclaimer.

Get the latest free info — sign up for our newsletter

Access the email newsletter archive.

Contact us

You can reach us by phone at 604-331-5400. More contact info.

Also from People's Law School

Dial-A-Law: A starting point for information on the law in British Columbia in 190+ topic areas. Available online and by phone.

Unbundled Legal Services: Learn about a new service model for lower-cost legal help. 

Beagle: A chatbot that helps with common legal problems. Look in the bottom right corner :)

Thanks to our funders

Meet our primary funders.

People's Law School logo

We are grateful to work on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, whose Peoples continue to live on and care for these lands.