Jason Cook, Applebee's Worker, Forced To Choose Between Job And Facebook

Everyone needs a place to vent about their job, but Applebee's doesn't think that place is Facebook.

Jason Cook, a 36-year-old Applebee's employee from Federal Way, Washington, has found himself in a tricky position after he refused to sign a statement saying that he won't post disparaging content about his employer on the social network, according to ABC News.

After three years of working at the restaurant, Cook now has two choices: waive his right to speak up online or find a new Job.

"I was pretty much told it was going to come to a point where I was probably going to have to sign it or be let go," Cook told ABC.

Cook believes that Applebee's restriction on "negative speech" is vague and fears that the policy may hinder free speech. However, losing his job could be devastating to his family.

Visit ABC News to read more about Cook's situation and why he isn't backing down.

If Cook decides to take Applebee's to court, precedent indicates that he may have a fighting chance.

In 2010, the New York Times reported on a Massachusetts case where the National Labor Relations Board claimed a woman was fired for posting negative comments about her supervisor on Facebook. In that case, the labor board stepped up to defend the woman's right to post what she wanted on a social network.

From the New York Times:

Lafe Solomon, the board’s acting general counsel, said, “This is a fairly straightforward case under the National Labor Relations Act — whether it takes place on Facebook or at the water cooler, it was employees talking jointly about working conditions, in this case about their supervisor, and they have a right to do that.”

For now, it's unclear whether Applebee's rule applies to all its corporate restaurants or just the franchise where Cook works. Applebee's has not responded to the controversy at this time.