What are the laws on if an empoyer can MAKE emplyoees work overtime?

Question

Can a boss make an employee work overtime? If they say you have to work 10 hours a day 6 days a week, is that legal? Can you be fired for not working overtime if told to?

Answer 1

no they can't make you work overtime or fire you for it, but they will find something else to fire you for in the near future

Answer 2

Yes you can be fired for not working over time. The employer has to state at the time you agree to take the job that your hours will be (10 per day / 6 day wk). Or at lease indicate at the time you agree to the job that there may be periods when overtime may be required.

Over time has to be deemed as important or termination from the job will be cause for fines to the employer. JUST BECAUSE THE EMPLOYER DON'T WANT TO HIRE MORE PEOPLE IS NOT CONSIDERED AN ADEQUATE DEFENSE FOR AN EMPLOYER. So if you feel that you are being forced to work overtime, have some people put in an application for a job. This should lighten your work load and balance things out.

Answer 3

Overtime work is usually considered by law as work in excess of 8 hours of work a day, or 40 hours of work in a given work week. According to U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), "An employer who requires or permits an employee to work overtime (OT) is generally required to pay the employee premium pay for such overtime work." At this time there are no federal laws limiting OT work or preventing forced overtime. Under the law of the Fair Labor Standards Act there are no protections for employees who refuse to work overtime.

Answer 4

Unless you were told when you start work that you wouldn't be required to work overtime, I'd say they can make you work. Check the company handbook to see what it says about it. Most companies that have labor unions can't make you work if you don't want too. It depends on the union's contract with the company.