10 Shattered Myths About Workplace Rights

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I don't believe you're correct in the statement is that if you are hey nonexempt employee they have to pay you time and a half for overtime. I am a crane operator and I was required to take training. And then was paid straight time.
I filed a complaint with the Department of Labor and the Department of Labor officer told me that I benefited from the training so they didn't have to pay me time and a half.
This was even though I got straight time and I had an excess of 70 hours for the week.

Rick Price of AL 4:02PM April 17, 2013

Question for Ms. Green and Readers,
Can an employer compel employees to disclose their activities outside of work? We recently received a form that we must complete regarding our volunteer activities, any clubs or associations attended during non-work time and any activities that we might engage in related to our career, such as private consulting or shadowing a professor/mentor on non-work days.

kyle inocenzzi of NJ 11:44AM April 12, 2013

she should correct her statements to say no federal law/laws, but there are in fact STATE laws that make many of these things illegal.

lee of GA 8:02PM April 05, 2013

As crazy as it may sound, the author is correct about Rest/Meal periods. There is no federal law requiring them, only SOME STATE laws:
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/workhours/breaks.htm
"Breaks & Meal Periods
Federal law does not require lunch or coffee breaks."

Savage of CA 1:29AM March 29, 2013

I am researching whether or not a supervisor can make up their own rules regarding sick time. IE... new supervisor states you must have a Dr excuse for every sick or three sicks will count be ground for termination. This is not in the company wide handbook. Any thoughts from those that have posted to this thread?

Lora of AL 9:13AM March 06, 2013

Um, a few of these are flat out incorrect. Just wow...I worked as a recruiter for awhile and it is most defintely illegal to ask how old someone is, if they're married, how many children they have, what their religion is, etc. Also, companies are required by LAW to give their workers a 30 minute lunch break. How do I know, also working in HR and the fact I hate taking lunches but am forced to take them because the state says I have to. Do your research better before you write stuff up for chrissakes. This article is just awful.

Taha of WA 11:39PM February 23, 2013

Some of these couldn't be more from the truth. Next time a little more research should be done and/or consultaning a lawyer before legal advice is given.

Anon of 11:52PM February 20, 2013

My boss has a habit of asking if we have a fever or cough and those who do are fired, is that legal? We are in the State of Oregon, if that helps.

sarah of OR 2:40PM February 04, 2013

Wow! Great legal advice. Where did you get your JD?

james of NY 5:24PM January 23, 2013

Hi Friend
On Monday i was told by my plant manager to get back to work before he crack the whip on me right now i want to know can i file that as racial discrimination.

Rock of SC 10:55PM January 22, 2013