Is it legal for a company to hold a mandatory meeting then tell you everyone needs to cut hours so technically you do not get paid for that meeting?
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Is it legal for a company to hold a mandatory meeting then tell you everyone needs to cut hours so technically you do not get paid for that meeting?
Even if you are coming in on your day off?
Asked on January 11, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Washington
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Employers are allowed to hold mandatory meetings and to make employees come into work on their days off. They are also allowed to adjust schedules and hours, including to reduce hours to "make up" for a mandatory meeting, and avoid paying out more money in total.
So the employer could, to use an example, have you come in for a 3 hour meeting on your day off, and reduce your hours that week by 3 hours, so that you net out to the same total time (and pay) as usual.
What it can't do is have you come in for the 3 hours meeting; have you work your normal hours otherwise; then just refuse to record or credit you for three hours of work. You must be paid, if an hourly employee, for all time worked (if salaried, they can make you work any number of hours without extra pay), but they can adjust the number of hours to keep you within a certain budget or payroll number.
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