what is the legal limit to forced overtime?

Question

I understand that there is a limit to voluntary O.T. (my brother works 13 days out of 14 with total hours of 104 to 130..and if sick or not showing up, must either use sick, vacation, or official "non-paid time off"). But what is the limit to the number of hours an employer can force employees to work and can they fire a person for not working overtime?

Answer 1

This depends on what industry your bro works in. Visit www.dol.gov to find the "wage order" for his industry (hospitality, fishing, manufacturing, food service, etc.) Once you have it, look under the "payment of wages" and "meal and rest periods" sections. That will tell you what overtime hours must be paid, and what meal and rest periods he's entitled to.

Note that different states also have different OT laws (for example, in some states, OT is paid on hours worked in excess of 40/week AND 8/day.) The DoL site will link to the site for your state as well.

And remember to take that towel with you everywhere - you never know when it will come in handy......

Answer 2

depends on what the papers you signed when you were hired say. i would call the local labor board and ask them. they know all the laws regarding what an employer can and cannot do.