is mandatory overtime legal?

Question

I normally get off at 430 and i have two kids to p ick up. Now i have to stay till 630 and our measly 30 min lunch they made us forfeit today. But they did buy us pizza but we had to eat at our desks and not get to take our lunch period. is this even legal?? what if i had no one to watch my kids?

Answer 1

They can't legally take yer breaks away. you are entitled to two breaks in an eight hour period, including a half hour for lunch. Tell em how it is! They'll take advantage as long as you let em get away with it.

Answer 2

I would'a ate the pizza and said it gave me the runs and that I had to leave early. haha!

No, but depending on what state you live in, the laws vary.
I know for CA. State Laws, a person is to have at least a 30 min. lunch break if working in excess of 5 hours. If working 8 hours or longer, you must take a 1 hour lunch and it is only at the decision of 'company policy' if overtime is mandatory.

I hope it wasn't sh***y pizza to say the least.
Nothing worse than a crappy pizza that tastes like rubber and cardboard.

Answer 3

No, Not legal. By law you get 2 15 min breaks (paid) and 1 30 min break (unpaid) for each and every 8 hour shift. If you work at a company that has fewer than 10 total employees then this might not apply. But as far as mandatory overtime.. you MUST BE PAID for that time, unless you are an exempt employee.

Answer 4

It really depends on a) your state, b) any employee handbook that spells out if overtime can be mandatory, and c) if you're unionized. I would check with your state's Department of Labor, Wage and Hour relative to this issue. Now as far as MAKING you forfeit your break period, that appears on the surface to be a violation of Federal Law. I would check the blue pages of your phone book and contact the US Dept of Labor, Wage and Hour about that.
Good luck - don't let it go if it bothered you that much!

Answer 5

Yes its legal and it can really "suck" sometimes! My husband has mandatory overtime and has been on it for over 2 years! He puts in 60 hours a week over 6 days a week! Which he would probably work the overtime anyways even if it wasnt mandatory, but its just the idea of him HAVING to do it.

Answer 6

Depends on what company you work for, where you're located, and what your job is.

Are you represented by a union? If so, check your collective agreement under the "overtime" articles or consult with your local representative.

If not represented by a union, check your regional Labor Code, it should be accessible online.

Legal Aid societies that operate in most urban centers in North America would also be willing to find out for you for a minimal or no cost fee.

Answer 7

Aubrey says it's legal. It's probably because of call volume because it's around Christmas. He also said that if you work within a 6-hour-period, they can take your breaks away but they are required to give you a 30-min-lunch. Don't let them do that! Call the BBB on them if they keep doing that (Better Business Bureau).

Answer 8

I had a similar problem but I worked hard to get a new job--sometimes it's not even a legal issue, but just a boss or manager who is just being a $(@)%_+%.

It took me two months but I found another job and leaving to get my kids is not a problem--not to mention the entire ENVIORNMENT is so much healtier and happier for me.

Answer 9

There are hidden loopholes having to do with how large your company is, how many people they employ, etc. It may be legal for them to do that. It is where I work. And it is for nearly all salaried, versus hourly employees, unless a contract specifies differently.

Answer 10

Yes. I work in the medical field and we have mandatory overtime all the time...