My employer REFUSES to give me a copy of my signed contract [closed]

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I signed an employment contract back in September 2014, after signing it my employer explained that we were not allowed to have copies of our own but we could take a look at it whenever under supervision.
June 2014 I have requested one via email and they have refused to give me a copy but say I owe them money for breaking the contract. Is this legal for them to deny me a copy? This is in the state of Texas.

united-states contracts employer

share|improve this question

edited Jun 19 '14 at 22:50

Pepone

1,508815

asked Jun 19 '14 at 20:11

Kayla

712

closed as off-topic by Jim G., jcmeloni, IDrinkandIKnowThings, gnat, Michael Grubey Jun 22 '14 at 20:43

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Jim G., jcmeloni, IDrinkandIKnowThings, gnat, Michael Grubey

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You signed the contract in future "September 2014" ?
  – user2711965
  Jun 19 '14 at 20:12
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  That sounds unbelievably fishy. Were you in unsupervised custody of an unsigned copy at any time before you signed it?
  – Blrfl
  Jun 19 '14 at 20:20
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'm a bit skeptical that this is within the bounds of workplace.SE, as it seems to be a legal question.
  – NotVonKaiser
  Jun 19 '14 at 20:30
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is a legal advice question so it is off topic. However what I would do is tell them that I do not remember signing any contract that would have bound you to pay them anything. But that if they can provide you with a copy of the signed contract, that you would be happy to comply with the terms of a properly rendered and signed contract. Then consider getting the advice of a lawyer.
  – IDrinkandIKnowThings
  Jun 20 '14 at 14:16
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Why did you sign a contract without retaining a copy?
  – Josef K
  Jun 21 '14 at 21:29
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

favorite

1

I signed an employment contract back in September 2014, after signing it my employer explained that we were not allowed to have copies of our own but we could take a look at it whenever under supervision.
June 2014 I have requested one via email and they have refused to give me a copy but say I owe them money for breaking the contract. Is this legal for them to deny me a copy? This is in the state of Texas.

united-states contracts employer

share|improve this question

edited Jun 19 '14 at 22:50

Pepone

1,508815

asked Jun 19 '14 at 20:11

Kayla

712

closed as off-topic by Jim G., jcmeloni, IDrinkandIKnowThings, gnat, Michael Grubey Jun 22 '14 at 20:43

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Jim G., jcmeloni, IDrinkandIKnowThings, gnat, Michael Grubey

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You signed the contract in future "September 2014" ?
  – user2711965
  Jun 19 '14 at 20:12
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  That sounds unbelievably fishy. Were you in unsupervised custody of an unsigned copy at any time before you signed it?
  – Blrfl
  Jun 19 '14 at 20:20
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'm a bit skeptical that this is within the bounds of workplace.SE, as it seems to be a legal question.
  – NotVonKaiser
  Jun 19 '14 at 20:30
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is a legal advice question so it is off topic. However what I would do is tell them that I do not remember signing any contract that would have bound you to pay them anything. But that if they can provide you with a copy of the signed contract, that you would be happy to comply with the terms of a properly rendered and signed contract. Then consider getting the advice of a lawyer.
  – IDrinkandIKnowThings
  Jun 20 '14 at 14:16
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Why did you sign a contract without retaining a copy?
  – Josef K
  Jun 21 '14 at 21:29
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

favorite

1

up vote
0
down vote

favorite

1

1

I signed an employment contract back in September 2014, after signing it my employer explained that we were not allowed to have copies of our own but we could take a look at it whenever under supervision.
June 2014 I have requested one via email and they have refused to give me a copy but say I owe them money for breaking the contract. Is this legal for them to deny me a copy? This is in the state of Texas.

united-states contracts employer

share|improve this question

edited Jun 19 '14 at 22:50

Pepone

1,508815

asked Jun 19 '14 at 20:11

Kayla

712

I signed an employment contract back in September 2014, after signing it my employer explained that we were not allowed to have copies of our own but we could take a look at it whenever under supervision.
June 2014 I have requested one via email and they have refused to give me a copy but say I owe them money for breaking the contract. Is this legal for them to deny me a copy? This is in the state of Texas.

united-states contracts employer

share|improve this question

edited Jun 19 '14 at 22:50

Pepone

1,508815

asked Jun 19 '14 at 20:11

Kayla

712

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited Jun 19 '14 at 22:50

Pepone

1,508815

edited Jun 19 '14 at 22:50

Pepone

1,508815

edited Jun 19 '14 at 22:50

Pepone

1,508815

1,508815

asked Jun 19 '14 at 20:11

Kayla

712

asked Jun 19 '14 at 20:11

Kayla

712

asked Jun 19 '14 at 20:11

Kayla

712

712

closed as off-topic by Jim G., jcmeloni, IDrinkandIKnowThings, gnat, Michael Grubey Jun 22 '14 at 20:43

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Jim G., jcmeloni, IDrinkandIKnowThings, gnat, Michael Grubey

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

closed as off-topic by Jim G., jcmeloni, IDrinkandIKnowThings, gnat, Michael Grubey Jun 22 '14 at 20:43

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Jim G., jcmeloni, IDrinkandIKnowThings, gnat, Michael Grubey

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You signed the contract in future "September 2014" ?
  – user2711965
  Jun 19 '14 at 20:12
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  That sounds unbelievably fishy. Were you in unsupervised custody of an unsigned copy at any time before you signed it?
  – Blrfl
  Jun 19 '14 at 20:20
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'm a bit skeptical that this is within the bounds of workplace.SE, as it seems to be a legal question.
  – NotVonKaiser
  Jun 19 '14 at 20:30
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is a legal advice question so it is off topic. However what I would do is tell them that I do not remember signing any contract that would have bound you to pay them anything. But that if they can provide you with a copy of the signed contract, that you would be happy to comply with the terms of a properly rendered and signed contract. Then consider getting the advice of a lawyer.
  – IDrinkandIKnowThings
  Jun 20 '14 at 14:16
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Why did you sign a contract without retaining a copy?
  – Josef K
  Jun 21 '14 at 21:29
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  You signed the contract in future "September 2014" ?
  – user2711965
  Jun 19 '14 at 20:12
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  That sounds unbelievably fishy. Were you in unsupervised custody of an unsigned copy at any time before you signed it?
  – Blrfl
  Jun 19 '14 at 20:20
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'm a bit skeptical that this is within the bounds of workplace.SE, as it seems to be a legal question.
  – NotVonKaiser
  Jun 19 '14 at 20:30
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is a legal advice question so it is off topic. However what I would do is tell them that I do not remember signing any contract that would have bound you to pay them anything. But that if they can provide you with a copy of the signed contract, that you would be happy to comply with the terms of a properly rendered and signed contract. Then consider getting the advice of a lawyer.
  – IDrinkandIKnowThings
  Jun 20 '14 at 14:16
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Why did you sign a contract without retaining a copy?
  – Josef K
  Jun 21 '14 at 21:29
  

  
  
  
  

4

4

You signed the contract in future "September 2014" ?
– user2711965
Jun 19 '14 at 20:12

You signed the contract in future "September 2014" ?
– user2711965
Jun 19 '14 at 20:12

1

1

That sounds unbelievably fishy. Were you in unsupervised custody of an unsigned copy at any time before you signed it?
– Blrfl
Jun 19 '14 at 20:20

That sounds unbelievably fishy. Were you in unsupervised custody of an unsigned copy at any time before you signed it?
– Blrfl
Jun 19 '14 at 20:20

2

2

I'm a bit skeptical that this is within the bounds of workplace.SE, as it seems to be a legal question.
– NotVonKaiser
Jun 19 '14 at 20:30

I'm a bit skeptical that this is within the bounds of workplace.SE, as it seems to be a legal question.
– NotVonKaiser
Jun 19 '14 at 20:30

This is a legal advice question so it is off topic. However what I would do is tell them that I do not remember signing any contract that would have bound you to pay them anything. But that if they can provide you with a copy of the signed contract, that you would be happy to comply with the terms of a properly rendered and signed contract. Then consider getting the advice of a lawyer.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Jun 20 '14 at 14:16

This is a legal advice question so it is off topic. However what I would do is tell them that I do not remember signing any contract that would have bound you to pay them anything. But that if they can provide you with a copy of the signed contract, that you would be happy to comply with the terms of a properly rendered and signed contract. Then consider getting the advice of a lawyer.
– IDrinkandIKnowThings
Jun 20 '14 at 14:16

Why did you sign a contract without retaining a copy?
– Josef K
Jun 21 '14 at 21:29

Why did you sign a contract without retaining a copy?
– Josef K
Jun 21 '14 at 21:29

add a comment | 

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

up vote
4
down vote

I am not a lawyer nor have any specific knowledge of Texas employment laws, but a reference to this newsletter indicates that they are not required by any law (in Texas) to provide you with or even allow you to view the contract again as part of your personnel file. The relevant section is the first Q/A in the "Mailbag" section of the article:

The short answer is no, not if her job was located in Texas and if
you’re a private (not government) employer. Under Texas law, personnel
files are employers’ property and employees have no legal right to
either see them or copy them. That is not true in a number of other
states, or if the employer is a governmental employer.

Given that this is a Q/A rather than a legal document, it would still behoove you to retain legal counsel. However, if they intend to collect any debt from you or pursue any action against you, they will have to provide basis for it and evidence to that fact which will mean supplying a copy of the contract in question.

share|improve this answer

answered Jun 19 '14 at 20:34

Joel Etherton

8,1062838

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Good lord how can a contract be valid if both sides don't have a copy!
  – Pepone
  Jun 19 '14 at 21:09
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Pepone: The contract is always valid regardless of who has the copy, but it can't be enforced unless the copy is produced. Enforcement will require the employer to produce their copy, however, without a corroborating copy by the employee, there's no independent party to verify the legitimacy of any clause that may have been added after the fact.
  – Joel Etherton
  Jun 19 '14 at 21:13
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

I am not a lawyer, but my wife is a paralegal, and I thus know some of the mechanics of the courts.

This is not legal advice, and I do encourage you to engage a lawyer.

If you told them that you did not believe you owed them money, and that they should take you to court to collect it, or if you took them to court over unpaid wages, the company would have to produce that contract to the court as part of their case. Your attorney (and thus you) are provided a copy of all filings.

However, anyone who won't give you a copy of your contract is not someone you want to do business with. Run. Run and don't look back.

share|improve this answer

answered Jun 19 '14 at 21:30

Wesley Long

44.9k15100160

add a comment | 

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

2 Answers
2

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
4
down vote

I am not a lawyer nor have any specific knowledge of Texas employment laws, but a reference to this newsletter indicates that they are not required by any law (in Texas) to provide you with or even allow you to view the contract again as part of your personnel file. The relevant section is the first Q/A in the "Mailbag" section of the article:

The short answer is no, not if her job was located in Texas and if
you’re a private (not government) employer. Under Texas law, personnel
files are employers’ property and employees have no legal right to
either see them or copy them. That is not true in a number of other
states, or if the employer is a governmental employer.

Given that this is a Q/A rather than a legal document, it would still behoove you to retain legal counsel. However, if they intend to collect any debt from you or pursue any action against you, they will have to provide basis for it and evidence to that fact which will mean supplying a copy of the contract in question.

share|improve this answer

answered Jun 19 '14 at 20:34

Joel Etherton

8,1062838

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Good lord how can a contract be valid if both sides don't have a copy!
  – Pepone
  Jun 19 '14 at 21:09
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Pepone: The contract is always valid regardless of who has the copy, but it can't be enforced unless the copy is produced. Enforcement will require the employer to produce their copy, however, without a corroborating copy by the employee, there's no independent party to verify the legitimacy of any clause that may have been added after the fact.
  – Joel Etherton
  Jun 19 '14 at 21:13
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
4
down vote

I am not a lawyer nor have any specific knowledge of Texas employment laws, but a reference to this newsletter indicates that they are not required by any law (in Texas) to provide you with or even allow you to view the contract again as part of your personnel file. The relevant section is the first Q/A in the "Mailbag" section of the article:

The short answer is no, not if her job was located in Texas and if
you’re a private (not government) employer. Under Texas law, personnel
files are employers’ property and employees have no legal right to
either see them or copy them. That is not true in a number of other
states, or if the employer is a governmental employer.

Given that this is a Q/A rather than a legal document, it would still behoove you to retain legal counsel. However, if they intend to collect any debt from you or pursue any action against you, they will have to provide basis for it and evidence to that fact which will mean supplying a copy of the contract in question.

share|improve this answer

answered Jun 19 '14 at 20:34

Joel Etherton

8,1062838

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Good lord how can a contract be valid if both sides don't have a copy!
  – Pepone
  Jun 19 '14 at 21:09
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Pepone: The contract is always valid regardless of who has the copy, but it can't be enforced unless the copy is produced. Enforcement will require the employer to produce their copy, however, without a corroborating copy by the employee, there's no independent party to verify the legitimacy of any clause that may have been added after the fact.
  – Joel Etherton
  Jun 19 '14 at 21:13
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
4
down vote

up vote
4
down vote

I am not a lawyer nor have any specific knowledge of Texas employment laws, but a reference to this newsletter indicates that they are not required by any law (in Texas) to provide you with or even allow you to view the contract again as part of your personnel file. The relevant section is the first Q/A in the "Mailbag" section of the article:

The short answer is no, not if her job was located in Texas and if
you’re a private (not government) employer. Under Texas law, personnel
files are employers’ property and employees have no legal right to
either see them or copy them. That is not true in a number of other
states, or if the employer is a governmental employer.

Given that this is a Q/A rather than a legal document, it would still behoove you to retain legal counsel. However, if they intend to collect any debt from you or pursue any action against you, they will have to provide basis for it and evidence to that fact which will mean supplying a copy of the contract in question.

share|improve this answer

answered Jun 19 '14 at 20:34

Joel Etherton

8,1062838

I am not a lawyer nor have any specific knowledge of Texas employment laws, but a reference to this newsletter indicates that they are not required by any law (in Texas) to provide you with or even allow you to view the contract again as part of your personnel file. The relevant section is the first Q/A in the "Mailbag" section of the article:

The short answer is no, not if her job was located in Texas and if
you’re a private (not government) employer. Under Texas law, personnel
files are employers’ property and employees have no legal right to
either see them or copy them. That is not true in a number of other
states, or if the employer is a governmental employer.

Given that this is a Q/A rather than a legal document, it would still behoove you to retain legal counsel. However, if they intend to collect any debt from you or pursue any action against you, they will have to provide basis for it and evidence to that fact which will mean supplying a copy of the contract in question.

share|improve this answer

answered Jun 19 '14 at 20:34

Joel Etherton

8,1062838

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Jun 19 '14 at 20:34

Joel Etherton

8,1062838

answered Jun 19 '14 at 20:34

Joel Etherton

8,1062838

answered Jun 19 '14 at 20:34

Joel Etherton

8,1062838

8,1062838

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Good lord how can a contract be valid if both sides don't have a copy!
  – Pepone
  Jun 19 '14 at 21:09
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Pepone: The contract is always valid regardless of who has the copy, but it can't be enforced unless the copy is produced. Enforcement will require the employer to produce their copy, however, without a corroborating copy by the employee, there's no independent party to verify the legitimacy of any clause that may have been added after the fact.
  – Joel Etherton
  Jun 19 '14 at 21:13
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Good lord how can a contract be valid if both sides don't have a copy!
  – Pepone
  Jun 19 '14 at 21:09
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Pepone: The contract is always valid regardless of who has the copy, but it can't be enforced unless the copy is produced. Enforcement will require the employer to produce their copy, however, without a corroborating copy by the employee, there's no independent party to verify the legitimacy of any clause that may have been added after the fact.
  – Joel Etherton
  Jun 19 '14 at 21:13
  

  
  
  
  

4

4

Good lord how can a contract be valid if both sides don't have a copy!
– Pepone
Jun 19 '14 at 21:09

Good lord how can a contract be valid if both sides don't have a copy!
– Pepone
Jun 19 '14 at 21:09

2

2

@Pepone: The contract is always valid regardless of who has the copy, but it can't be enforced unless the copy is produced. Enforcement will require the employer to produce their copy, however, without a corroborating copy by the employee, there's no independent party to verify the legitimacy of any clause that may have been added after the fact.
– Joel Etherton
Jun 19 '14 at 21:13

@Pepone: The contract is always valid regardless of who has the copy, but it can't be enforced unless the copy is produced. Enforcement will require the employer to produce their copy, however, without a corroborating copy by the employee, there's no independent party to verify the legitimacy of any clause that may have been added after the fact.
– Joel Etherton
Jun 19 '14 at 21:13

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

I am not a lawyer, but my wife is a paralegal, and I thus know some of the mechanics of the courts.

This is not legal advice, and I do encourage you to engage a lawyer.

If you told them that you did not believe you owed them money, and that they should take you to court to collect it, or if you took them to court over unpaid wages, the company would have to produce that contract to the court as part of their case. Your attorney (and thus you) are provided a copy of all filings.

However, anyone who won't give you a copy of your contract is not someone you want to do business with. Run. Run and don't look back.

share|improve this answer

answered Jun 19 '14 at 21:30

Wesley Long

44.9k15100160

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

I am not a lawyer, but my wife is a paralegal, and I thus know some of the mechanics of the courts.

This is not legal advice, and I do encourage you to engage a lawyer.

If you told them that you did not believe you owed them money, and that they should take you to court to collect it, or if you took them to court over unpaid wages, the company would have to produce that contract to the court as part of their case. Your attorney (and thus you) are provided a copy of all filings.

However, anyone who won't give you a copy of your contract is not someone you want to do business with. Run. Run and don't look back.

share|improve this answer

answered Jun 19 '14 at 21:30

Wesley Long

44.9k15100160

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

up vote
2
down vote

I am not a lawyer, but my wife is a paralegal, and I thus know some of the mechanics of the courts.

This is not legal advice, and I do encourage you to engage a lawyer.

If you told them that you did not believe you owed them money, and that they should take you to court to collect it, or if you took them to court over unpaid wages, the company would have to produce that contract to the court as part of their case. Your attorney (and thus you) are provided a copy of all filings.

However, anyone who won't give you a copy of your contract is not someone you want to do business with. Run. Run and don't look back.

share|improve this answer

answered Jun 19 '14 at 21:30

Wesley Long

44.9k15100160

I am not a lawyer, but my wife is a paralegal, and I thus know some of the mechanics of the courts.

This is not legal advice, and I do encourage you to engage a lawyer.

If you told them that you did not believe you owed them money, and that they should take you to court to collect it, or if you took them to court over unpaid wages, the company would have to produce that contract to the court as part of their case. Your attorney (and thus you) are provided a copy of all filings.

However, anyone who won't give you a copy of your contract is not someone you want to do business with. Run. Run and don't look back.

share|improve this answer

answered Jun 19 '14 at 21:30

Wesley Long

44.9k15100160

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Jun 19 '14 at 21:30

Wesley Long

44.9k15100160

answered Jun 19 '14 at 21:30

Wesley Long

44.9k15100160

answered Jun 19 '14 at 21:30

Wesley Long

44.9k15100160

44.9k15100160

add a comment | 

add a comment |