Can an employer force me to work full-time as a PT associate?

Question

I'm a part-time associate and have been since I was hired. Often I work 34 hours a week (full time is 35) and the next two weeks i'm scheduled for 40 hours. This is not the first tmie that I have averaged well over full time hours during a single pay period? Can I require them to cut my hours back?

I wouldn't be eligible for any benifiets i'm interested in (health Insurance) until I've been at the store for a year. I just want the time to myself to spend with my family and try to employ myself.

I'm in north carolina if that makes a difference.

Answer 1

How badly do you want to keep your job?

I'm sure they can't force you, but when that year period is up and they are choosing who they want for full-time with benefits ... you don't want to be remembered as the one who didn't want to work.

Answer 2

I am not aware of the North Carolina labor laws. But, you are in the very nasty postition of possibly being released from your job or treated like a third class person if you do not do as asked.

Employers can always find a way to lay you off or fire you. They have the upper hand unequivocably.

You can report your situation to Wage and Hour, a Federal agency, but it depends on how you want to be treated as an employee even if you win.

Answer 3

Yes, you are aloud to ask them to cut down your hours. Your contract specifically outlines you have been hired as a part-time employee, thus are entitled to 25 hours per week average.However by asking for less hours, it is in their full ability to give you reduced hours on a regular basis, thus you will average less. It would also be advisable to ask your employer why they are scheduling you more often. Perhaps they have a shortage of employees or maybe they are more satisfied with you work quality than their others. If you have a Union, its best to look over the Union Contract to fully understand the implications. Corporations are legally required to provide their employees with full knowledge of such contract. Also, talk to a co-worker, they might know why you are being put in this sort of situation. Technically, they are breaching their employment contract by scheduling you for more hours than you had agreed to. But overall you are permitted, legally, to ask for less hours if you have been hired on a part-time basis and are being scheduled as full-time. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

I don't know the laws in North Carolina, but you certainly have the right to stand up for yourself. Explain to your employer that you value your job, but you aren't prepared to work full-time at this stage in your life. Ask that hours be kept to part-time.

If you're a good employee working for a good employer, a simple talk may resolve the problem. If your employer threatens to let you go if you don't work the extra hours, tell him/her that you'll agree to full-time hours if your status is officially changed to full-time. (You may not want those benefits now, but trust me, you'll want them later. Vacation and sick days are always good bennies!) Then work full time while seeking a replacement part-time job. Or, if you can afford it, just quit if you can't get the hours you need.

Good luck!

Answer 5

They can ask you to work forty hours but if they do not provide full time benefits then you are part time. You can refuse. I would call the Labor board and ask them. He may find himself in a world of hurt.

Answer 6

north carolina is a right to work state, so the rules are kinda stacked against you when it comes to labor laws and so forth. all you should do is tell them you only want to work x amount of hours and thats all. im guessing you work at a grocery store or something like that, so they should work with ya a little. i feel your pain

Answer 7

Your employer can request but not force you to work overtime. I'm not familiar with NC labor laws, but you may be eligible for overtime pay for hours above your PT limit since you do not get benefits.

Answer 8

Eddie from Iron Maiden after I sit down contained in the decrease back backyard and seem on the clouds contained in the sky on a gray day I have a tendency to imagine of pink Floyd and the music "see you later Blue Sky" for some reason.