Is this false imprisonment? Was held against my will at work... Need help!?

Question

Ok, I won't give all the details, but here is sorta what happened, in a nutshell...

So tonight, I was at work and some work didn't get done. It wasn't work from my department, and it was work that the MANAGER didn't have other people do, when there were plenty of free people on the floor.

When the store closed, and it was past the time we were scheduled to, the MANAGER told us that we had to stay and do the work, and we weren't allowed to leave. He locked the doors and would not let us out. They even had security near the doors so we couldn't leave.
Many people BEGGED to leave, and had real reasons as to why they had to.

The majority of the workers are minors, as well.

We were compensated, but didn't have the choice to leave. We should have been able to leave after our scheduled time, right? Isn't that some sort of contract?

Does this break some sort of Labor Law... Is it false imprisonment?

Also, I work in a right to work state, if that makes a difference.

Answer 1

You should start carrying pepper spray. And you should have called the police.

Answer 2

I hope you have since QUIT this job. Yes, it is false imprisonment. If you are a minor, then labor laws will apply as well, since (at least where I am) minors can't work past 9PM and can only work a certain number of hours per day.

Report this to the cops, get your parents to help, and be prepared to lose your job if you haven't already quit.

Don't let someone treat you like this, in any situation. You have the RIGHT to leave when you so choose, especially if you scheduled time is up. The manager could have asked you to stay, but not forced it.

Answer 3

It is illegal to hold a person against their will. This isn't a labor law, but could apply the same as any other action. Any charges would be up to the police and prosecutor.

However, unless this change in hours violates a labor law, they can demained that you work past your scheduled time. You have the choice to stay and work or leave. And they have the choice to continue your employment or fire you. (How bad do you need this job?)

The next time someone does this, call the police and report it. I bet they let you out.

Answer 4

Locked door is definitely false imprisonment AND life endangerment! What if there a fire broke out and then all of you would have got hurt because of the manager. By the way, the overtime is compensated by the stated rate and a half.

File charges for false imprisonment and life endangerment. You have plenty of witnesses.

Answer 5

Contact a lawyer first. Then you should contact your companies Human Resource department and ask if this is common with the company. They know they law for your state and when they start acting funny then you know you have a case. The manager should know his job, H.R. could be a good start in getting rid of this manager. My motto...'Managers---Who needs 'em?'

Answer 6

Yes.

Although, the final decision is up to the Judge and / or Jury with a healthy dose of persuasion by legal counsel.

Answer 7

where are you located?
did you contact the US Dept. of Labor?

honestly they could have been within their rights - so you may want to check for sure. But you should have had the option to quit the job and leave, so this seems illegal to me.

Answer 8

if it happens again...use a fire exit - or call 911 seriously! In the mean time call the dept. of labor. Is this a major retailer?

Answer 9

sounds like you were a slave for that part of your shift. well if you want to take it that far yes it was false imprisonment. you manager can get into lots of trouble for that. you should probably nip it in the butt before he feel confident about doing it again

Answer 10

Call the police, and have other fellow workers call the police. What he did is ILLEGAL in ANY STATE, PERIOD!!! You cannot LOCK somebody inside a workplace and retain them there against their will. File Charges against him!!