I was suspended pending investigation at my employer today. I was not given a reason for suspension, and was asked to sign a document stating reason for suspension pending investigation being; "violation of company procedures." When I inquired, I was told that this information could not be shared with me. I was also barred from coming back into my store, or contacting any employees.

I've been a manager for differnt companies for almost 10 years and I've never heard of such a thing - is this legal? What, if anything, can I do? My store manager seemed uncertain if I was to be paid during suspension - however, I know not doing so is illegal.

How should I proceed?

Yes, it is legal to suspend you for an investigation and not tell you what you are being investigated for. The employer is not the justice system and does not have to follow the same rules. All you can do at this point is sit tight and cooperate with the investigation if you are contacted about it.

Regarding pay, are you an exempt employee?

No, I'm not an exempt employee.

The laws do not require the employer tell you why you were suspended but it sounds reasonable to me that an employee knows what the investigation concerns.

Only Congress or the State Legislature can make that happen. Lobby both.

As for the pay, you said you are a non-exempt employee. You only get paid for hours worked. Any leave available may be used, if the company permits it. If they don't permit you to use what you have available, you are out of luck.

If this runs more then a few days, file a UI claim. There is a misconception that one must be formally terminated to qualify for UI. That is mostly not correct. One must just be no longer getting wages for a reason that the state does not consider the employee's fault.