Can I be forced to work weeks without a day off without being disciplined/terminated?
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Can I be forced to work weeks without a day off without being disciplined/terminated?
My boss is on indefinite leave for medical reasons so that leaves me and one other person to open and close the business everyday. Am I obligated to work everyday until help is found? I am not considered management, by the way.
Asked on August 20, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Ohio
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Unless this work schedule violates the terms of a union agreement or employment contract, it is legal. The reason is that most work relationships are "at will". This means that a business can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit (absent some form of legally actionable discrimination). This includes how many day/hours in a row that an employee can be made to work. That having been said, if you are a non-exempt employee (i.e. typically one who is paid hourly), the you must be paid overtime for all hours worked over 40 in your work week.
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