chit-chat Employer fair or unfair?

15 years ago

I've had a boatload of work dumped on me at the factory. This week I was asked to work at home on some reports and then come to work early for a meeting. Hooray?... today they want me to go home early to avoid paying overtime. Others are being paid overtime this week so it is not something unheard of. I'm an hourly person not salaried. I will not be compensated for working at home and never have been. After giving the report yesterday I went back on the floor for 8 hours running machines, supervising people, fixing machines, and mopping the floor. I worked 10 minutes past my shift and then clocked out so I wouldn't be on overtime.

Hard times but my products made $125K net last month. At most my overtime adds up to $1500 a month. I know that is a chunk but I put in the work for it and feel shorted when I'm asked to work off the clock and leave early. Should I throw a fit? I can be replaced only if they want to hire two or three people... my certifications would make that an expensive proposition. Would not be the first time I've cornered a manager and chewed on them... they are frightened because I use big words. LOL!... then get out the dictionary when I'm mad... no kidding!

Should I just shut-up and put-up? Good lordy... I'm a hard worker by choice but not a slave.

Thoughts? Thanks for letting me vent a little.

: )

lyra

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Comments (13)

dgkritch
15 years ago
Is the 'boss' someone you can talk to? In these times, it's hard to want to raise a fuss, but asking you to work off the clock is illegal!
Might there be a compromise? Work on the clock, but at straight time? Comp time?
I hope you're not being taken advantage of because your employer knows jobs are scarce!!
Best of luck finding a reasonable solution,
Deanna
dedtired
15 years ago
Well, don't throw a fit, but it seems to me that you should say something. It's not fair to ask you to work and not pay you for it. Your an employee, not a volunteer.

My sec'y gets paid for time she works at home evenings and weekends. She's not allowed to accrue overtime, though. If she works at odd hours, she can take the time off during the week.
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loagiehoagie
15 years ago
You are being taken advantage of, plain and simple. Why are others paid overtime and you have to accept going home to work off the clock? Yes, that is illegal. If you were salary they could ask you to do that, but that goes with the territory. A few years ago American Express (whom I was working for at the time) was giving straight time comp time to hourly workers. Somebody filed a complaint with the Labor Board and the next year they had to go through all of the time sheets and reimburse all of the unpaid monies to each and every employee. Employers who do this are usually middle managers unaware of the law and are kissing up to their superiors. Of course you don't want to rock the boat and get fired, but you need to speak your case calmly and reasonably. Use the big words. You go Lyra, you go!

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sands99
15 years ago
Every minute you work with out getting paid decreases your hourly wage! So not only are you not getting your overtime you're taking a paycut. I would mysteriously develop a dental appointment or conveniently scheduled school course the next few times they shoehorn in an off hours meeting or want you to bring work home. Tell 'em you've got your own homework.

Either that or you're going to wind up marching in, handing them a thesaurus and treating them to a few new sulci ;-) Not recommended, bad time to be job hunting.

Good Luck
pkramer60
15 years ago
Just a thought, but if you work the floor but are now being asked ot compile some reports, could they be looking or testing you out for a move up to a more management position? A test run, so to speak? Some places may do this prior to the advancement.

I would go with it for a bit, then approach the bosses and gently ask what is going on. Point out the extra time and effort, willingly done, and ask for some comp time at the least. Don't pitch a fit. Jobs are too hard to find right now.
bunnyman
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank-you for the input. It would be nice to think I'm being tested but that is not the case. We have a new plant manager that has no idea of what I'm asked to do. It took the last one a couple years to catch on that wages spent on me result in work getting done. I already know where this is going. Work won't get done, deadlines will be missed, information will be lost, and then they will come to me wanting it fixed... quickly if I can.

Probably going to lose my job sometime in the next couple years so I have to wonder if sooner is better then later.

: )
lyra
marlingardener
15 years ago
Lyra,
Ask to have the request for "homework" in writing.If push comes to shove, you have proof, and if it doesn't, your manager will be more cautious about asking you to work with no pay.
jimster
15 years ago
The Dept. of Labor is very interested in this sort of thing. I am familiar with of a couple of cases.

The best thing for you to do right now is to update your resume and scout the job market. You need an option or two in reserve if you want to play hardball with the company. Yes, job openings are scarce right now, but there are jobs and you only need one.

If worse comes to worse, you may have to grin and bear it for a while. Just be prepared when the time comes to jump. A complaint can be brought against the company after you leave, if that's what you want to do. I've seen that happen and the employees received compensation. It was a case of blatant violation of labor law, similar to yours.

Another option is to hire a lawyer who specializes in labor law and let him/her speak for you. That would get their attention. It doesn't seem to be a complicated situation. I think they would be careful to stay within the law after a warning signal.

Whatever you chose to do, keep your own behavior and communications with the company on the highest professional level. Don't get the reputation of being a hot head.

Jim
readinglady
15 years ago
Regardless of what you decide, keep records so your options are open. Keep a running (private/personal) account of any conversations and requests, including dates, times, what was said, your response.

Try also to reconstruct as thoroughly as you can an account of previous conversations and actions, both yours and theirs.

If this does become at some point a legal matter, documentation is critical. Memory is fallible.

Good luck. This is a frustrating situation any way you look at it. I hope things work out.

Carol
bunnyman
Original Author
15 years ago
I have documents and very good legal advice from a labor law specialist. I've had a talk with the corporate HR person and they understand my legal options. HR commented I could end his career. Wish I could wack the bad managers and not cause problems for those that do an honest day's work. I could probably get out of doing the reports but the information becomes part of the required records for government and our customers. Our customers look at those reports to gauge our ability to meet their needs. Little doubt that without my prior work I'd not have any job to worry about today. I'm getting grumpy now because all the free riders are getting heavy and I'm getting old. Can't get Orwell's Animal Farm out of my mind...

: )
lyra
jessyf
15 years ago
Animal Farm: I hope you're not thinking you are Boxer....
bunnyman
Original Author
15 years ago
Who me?... work all day everyday for years?

: )
lyra
bunnyman
Original Author
15 years ago
OMG... what awful times. I was out of work for four days for CPR training and getting my new teeth installed. The factory has always had drug testing to get hired and if a person did something questionable. While I was out a couple dozen laid-off people were called back and the whole group sent for drug testing. We don't have the work for these people and it looks like the company is simply looking for an excuse to fire people. Two quit, one was positive for a prescription med, and only one pot user was caught. I've never seen my co-workers so upset. Two of the people lost had been with the company for more then ten years. The salary supervisors are claiming the company wants to close the shop and is looking to get rid of people by any means.... hopefully they have bad information.

I'm ashamed of my employer. If we wanted these people drug tested it could have been done in better times. Seems like a cruel blow to people who are already down. One of the young guys that was fired had worked under me when he hired in.... he was dependable, a quick learner, and had a skill level most people never reach... feel like I've lost a kid. It takes a year to really understand how to run a particular machine and more years to understand how that affects the process downline. The company is firing skills we really need to survive. How in the world will I get quality work out of people that are now frightened. I've worked so hard to get people to invest in their jobs and build a strong workforce... all blown away like dry leaves in the wind.

My guess is that some managers are about to go and they are desperate to look good. The company is very top heavy at the moment.

: (
lyra

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