Today, I started a new job. The hours are long, but I didn't mind as I could REALLY use the overtime. Turns out, they don't pay over time. I'm just expected to go "above and beyond for the company." FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, after working for over a decade at the same place, I was formally written up with two days of leave without pay for refusing to work extra overtime. I've been working over 80 hours a week for four months now and even cancelled some very important plans so I could work every day. FML
Today, after informing my boss that I needed stress leave from my 70-hour-a-week shifts, I got my new work assignment. Sixty hours a week, starting at 2 a.m. FML
Today, my boss asked me to work over the entire weekend. That would be fine if I didn't already work a 60 hour week. He also said the extra hours on the weekend wouldn't be paid. FML
Today, by request from my new boss, I came into work over an hour early to finish some backed-up filing. This seemed like a great opportunity to earn some extra overtime pay. After spending an hour and half filing, I realized I hadn't clocked in for the day. FML
Today, I went to work on my day off for some overtime. I’m not to leave my position until relief arrives. Twelve hours after my shift was supposed to be over, my boss calls me, asking if I can work another 8 hours at a different post, not knowing I’ve already worked 20 hours straight because the system rebooted. I didn’t get paid overtime. FML
Today, after I gave notice to quit my job 3 weeks ago, and my last day is tomorrow, I found out that all overtime is now $40 an hour. FML
Today, I quit my job, mainly because I didn't work enough hours and thus, earn enough money. In the past, they said there isn't any other paid work they could provide. They've now added different tasks, more money, and more hours to the position. I'm helping to find a replacement for a job I would otherwise apply to. FML
Today, I got a new title at work. My boss hyped it up and made it sound amazing, so I accepted. Come to find out it pays 20k less a year and is twice as much work. FML
Today, after trying so hard to get myself back on my feet, I had an amazing interview and I was hired on the spot. I was so happy, until I read the position I was given, and it turns out I didn't get full-time, I got barely enough hours to even be part-time. FML
Today, I finished working a week's overtime managing admin, stock, finances, and three members of staff. I realised that despite all my extra work, I actually earn less per hour than the students who only work on the weekends. FML
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Top comments
TxKitten79 10
They can't force you to work hours and not pay you.
manb91gb 15
That's actually illegal.
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Comments (18)
manb91gb 15
That's actually illegal.
xicor 1
No it isnt. In America, corporations abuse employees by calling them 'salary' which should mean they get paid the same no matter how much they work. Then they abuse the system and force you to work at least 40hrs despite the fact that they are legally required to pay your full salary as long as you do any work at all.
manb91gb 15
There's nothing to suggest this guy is American. Besides, if that's the case, OP should've checked before signing the ******* contract
AmbrosiaFan 19
Depends, what was in their contract? Are they salary or hourly?
Nhayaa 21
Everybody think french people are lazy and unproductive because of our labor code and our 35h/week... but at least we don't work for nothing, we get our extra hours paid thanks to that.
TxKitten79 10
They can't force you to work hours and not pay you.
RichardPencil 32
Yes, they can. They’re just daring you to sue them. First, good luck getting a lawyer who’s interested in winning a few hundred or thousand dollars for you. Also, good luck finding a judge who hasn’t received campaign contributions from your company. There’s the law and the real-world enforcement of it.
bobsanction 18
The Department of Labor would certainly have a thing or two to say about it. Overtime means more taxes for the government, and you do not want to skip out paying the taxes. Government hates that.
JLS 4
If you are paid hourly this is illegal. Salaries then legal.
adjwejaelwkdc 21
Whether it is legal in your specifc case depends on what the job is, what your duties are, and what your pay rate is. Despite what others might say here, exemption from overtime IS legal, but only under certain circumstances. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, "bona fide executive, administrative, professional and outside sales employees" and "certain computer employees" may be considered exempt from both minimum wage and overtime pay, generally if the position is salaried instead of hourly, and if the salary is greater than $455 per week. Also, make sure you clarify with your employer what holidays they recognize and whether there is a "busy season." For example, accounting firms often do not recognize any holidays between January 1 and Memorial Day, and expect employees to work a minimum of 50 hours per week during those months.
RichardPencil 32
You ought to sing nice songs like “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” and jingle your chains while you work.
Samantha Glennie 25
I used to work for a company that didn’t pay overtime but gave the hours back in lieu, the only problem is they were always to busy to give you time back in lieu and the overtime got more and more as time went on. I stayed for 2 years and then had to quit with no job to fall back on because I was bordering on the edge of a mental breakdown from working overload. Look for a new job ASAP as it will become too much. Luckily I found a much better place but there’s few and far between
hmmbrd77 14
that's illegal unless your salary
MikuandKaito 24
They expect you to go above and beyond, but they won't give you the same courtesy. Funny how that works. Report them and run.
tounces7 28
Well if you're in America, you've got a lawsuit. If you live in a developing country, well, you're probably SOL.
stormy0307 16
If OP is in America and a salaried or otherwise overtime exempt worker they don’t.
TrashlifeKaylala 12
Im not sure what you do for work, but tell your bosses that the attitude they just portrayed is the very reason Steak n Shake is in debt and is currently shutting down restaurants across the country.