Is it legal to work 24 hours?

Question

My husband started this morning at seven and just found he has to work all day and then all night at a different location but for the same company. He will working on a busy highway until 7 tomorrow morning. Is it legal for his employer to work have him work 24 hours? Does anyone know of any websites that I can find more information?

Answer 1

Without knowing what your husband does, I would say it is legal. My husband has had to do this on occasion when working during certain situations for a couple of companies -- both situations were for storms which required immediate and serious heavy work. Then they were given a short time to "sleep" on site and able to get up and work a little more.

However, it wasn't mandatory, nor was it frequent. Keep in mind that depending on the job, your husband may be saying he "has to" because he wants you to be in agreement with him, and it really is because he agreed to due to special circumstances.

He should contact the HR department at the company headquarters and ask the question there if he is concerned.

Answer 2

Working 24 hours non-stop makes no sense. It is dangerous because you say that he is working on a BUSY HIGHWAY. Hope he gets off the road before he kills someone. Even long distance truck drivers pull off the highway and sleep. In any event he is entitled to be paid. The other problem I see here is that your husband is working a 24 hour shift and the darn thing is that he may not get any of this at an overtime rate if he does not work more that 40 hours for his work week.

I just don't get this. Is this a one time thing, I ask. Depending on the job or industry once in a while people might pull an all nighter but not a 24 hour period unless there are rest breaks included.

Answer 3

I'm sorry you are dealing with this uncomfortable situation. Some states still treat people like slaves and some employers get a kick out of abusing legal loopholes. You need an Attorney right now and he needs a new career. Check the source for both. I hope this helps. Good luck to your family.

Answer 4

It's legal except for particular jobs. Truck drivers and pilots, for example, have legal limits on the hours they can work. If this 24 hour workday happens more than very occasionally, I'd look for a different job though - nobody is very efficient for that many hours in a row.

Answer 5

It is legal to work 24 hrs a day. However, your husband's company need to pay him for overtime. If it doesn't get paid overtime for the hours he's worked, then that's illegal.

Do a search for labor laws online.

Answer 6

I assume you are NZer; if so; since 1994 everyone must have an employment agreement; everyone must know what their terms and conditions are for working; start there;

if you are not NZer; find your obligations under a Labour site for your country; I can assume his company are not taking their societal responsibilities seriously. this can be checked on to by going to your local Labour force and stating your concerns;

either way start learning about labour rights and conditions for your own mental stability; the macro-economic society maybe world-wide but his company is on micro-economic after all.

Answer 7

That sounds like a double shift. If this is a one-time thing, most non-office work do this to save money (overtime), but he is entitle to that extra amount of time off at some point in the week.

Answer 8

As stated on ACAS
Overtime

Overtime is normally hours that are worked above the normal full time hours, normal working hours are the hours mentioned in the terms of employment. Overtime can be voluntary or compulsory. Compulsory overtime would form part of the terms and conditions of employer.

There is no legal right to be paid extra for any overtime worked, this may be detailed in the terms of employment.

Night working

A night worker is someone who normally works at least 3 hours during the night period, which is the period between 11pm to 6am, unless the worker and employer agree a different night period.

Night workers should not work more than an average of 8 hours in 24-hour period. This average is usually calculated over a 17 week reference period, but it can be over a longer period if the workers and employer agree. Regular overtime is included in the average and workers can t opt out of this limit.

Employers must offer workers a free health assessment before they become a night worker and on a regular basis while they are working nights. Workers do not have to accept this health check.

Answer 9

it is legal look at doctors... I would recommend that you make sure you look at the paycheck end of it... And also labor laws for your state in regards to his particular job...