Can my HR department at work force only me to work mandatory overtime?
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Can my HR department at work force only me to work mandatory overtime?
My job recently lost many employees. They do not have enough staff. I work as a night clerk at a warehouse. The office manager refuses to work weekends and is now telling me that himself and HR department will force me to work day shift weekends even after I’ve been working my night shift all week. They are only trying to force me to work this overtime. I am single mom of 2 children and my weekends are the only time I really can do things with my children. Can my employer do this to me?
Asked on November 10, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, New Jersey
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Unfortunately, it can unless you can prove some form of actionable discrimination. In other words, are you being treated differently due to your gender, age (over 40), disability, race, religion, nationality, etc.? If so, then you would have a claim. However, you did indicate this to be the situation. That having been said, if this treatment violates the terms of a union agreement"or employment contract, then you would have a case. Bottom line, in an "at will" work relationship, an employer can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit.
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