Is it legal for management to make us take on additional job duties?
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Is it legal for management to make us take on additional job duties?
I am an employee at a national retain chain and my managers are telling me that myself and others in my department will have to start covering other departments during the holidays. What they really mean is “from now on”, so they can cut other employee’s hours. I don’t mind being a team player but they have threatened to remove us from the department and work as cashiers if we don’t learn how to mix paint, cut fabric and issue fishing licenses. I work in electronics and I don’t think its right that try to force us to do other peoples jobs just because they don’t want to put someone in that department.
Asked on September 21, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, California
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Do you have a union agreement or employment contract that prohibits this mandate? Does this action conflict with other company policy? Is some form of actionable discrimination a factor here? If not, then you are an "at will" employee. As such you have the right to continue to work for your employer, your choice. In turn, your employer can hire/fire, promote/demote/, increase/decrease/ hours/salary and generally impose whatever terms and conditions of the workplace it deems necessary. If an employee cannot meet the requirements of the workplace they can be discharged, with or without notice.
Bottom line, if you don't do as your employer requires you may lose your job.
Note: If you are a non-exempt employee, you are entitled to overtime (i.e. 1 1/2 times your salary) for all hours worked over 40 in a week.
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