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Closed 10 years ago .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.
1,538 12 12 silver badges 15 15 bronze badges asked Jun 19, 2014 at 20:11 17 1 1 gold badge 1 1 silver badge 2 2 bronze badges You signed the contract in future "September 2014" ? Commented Jun 19, 2014 at 20:12That sounds unbelievably fishy. Were you in unsupervised custody of an unsigned copy at any time before you signed it?
Commented Jun 19, 2014 at 20:20I'm a bit skeptical that this is within the bounds of workplace.SE, as it seems to be a legal question.
Commented Jun 19, 2014 at 20:30This 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.
Commented Jun 20, 2014 at 14:16 Why did you sign a contract without retaining a copy? Commented Jun 21, 2014 at 21:29I 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.