Can an employer force me to come in on my day off for a one hour training class?
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Can an employer force me to come in on my day off for a one hour training class?
I live an hour away from my job. I have other appointments on that day already set and they cannot be changed. What recourse do I have as an employee?
Asked on April 9, 2013 under Employment Labor Law, New Jersey
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Yes, in fact your employer is within its legal rights to force you to come in on your day off. That is unless requiring you to do so violates company policy, an employment agreement, union contract or constitutes some form of actionable discrimination. In "at-will" employment relationships, an employer can set the terms and conditions of employment much as it sees fit. For an employee's part, they can continue to work for their employer or quit (unfortunately probably not much of a choice for you).
That having been said, if you are a non-exempt employee, you are entitled to be paid for any mandatory training sessions. And if this time puts you over 40 hours for the week, you are entitled to be paid for it as OT.
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