As you enjoy the NFL playoffs this weekend, take a moment to think about NFL football players as your fellow wage-earning employees.
Think they have more rights than you as an employee?
Let’s imagine what your current job would look like if you had the same employment rights and limitations as a typical NFL football player.
You Have an Employment Contract that Protects You (Slightly) from Getting Fired.
Congratulations! NFL players have employment contracts, so you’re no longer an at-will employee. That means your employer can’t fire you for any (legal) reason.
But your NFL player rights only protect you so much. Under your NFL-style contract, your employer can still fire you if:
You’re out of shape;
Your personal conduct embarrasses the team;
Your employer decides that other current employees are better than you; or
Your employer decides that other potential employees might possibly be better than you.
If it sounds like your employer can still fire you for pretty much any reason and be able to claim it was for one of these reasons, you’re right!
They Can Trade You to Another Employer.
Unless you are a skilled enough worker to negotiate otherwise, your NFL-style contract requires you to agree that your employer can send you to one of the other 31 employers in your industry.
There’s no offseason in your job, so better pack up the family and move to your new town!
You Have to Quit Your Risky Hobbies.
Under your NFL-style contract, you’ll have to agree not to engage in any activity (other than job, which might not be too risky) which may involve a significant risk of personal injury.
Your employer wants you to stay safe so they can keep profiting from your work! No more mountain biking pickup basketball for you.