Can my employer force me to attend a mandatory meeting if it is scheduled during hours that the business is not open?
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Can my employer force me to attend a mandatory meeting if it is scheduled during hours that the business is not open?
I work for a supermarket chain and work part-time. I have given them written documentation as to the hours which I am available for work and it was approved and signed by a manager of the store. Now they are having a mandatory meeting that is scheduled at 6:30 am when the store isn’t even open for business and are telling me that I have to attend. My normal shift is during the evening anytime after 4:00 pm. Am I required by law to attend?
Asked on June 1, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Florida
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Most employment relationships are what is known as "at will". This means that an employee can choose to work for a specific employer or not. In turn, an employer can set the terms of employment as it sees fit; this includes the hours and times that an employee must report to the workplace. Accordingly, employers are allowed to hold mandatory meetings and to make employees come into work on their days and/or shifts off. The foregoing holds true unless this violates company policy or there is a union agreement or an employment contract to the contrary.
Note: However, since such a meeting constiute work time, if you are an hourly employee (i.e. exempt), then you are entitled to be paid for this time. To the extent that it puts you over 40 hours for the week, you are entited to OT as well.
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