Since 2/29 I've had exactly one day off, and as of last night I don't have another day off on the schedule, thanks to my backup taking an emergency leave of absence. I am TIRED and really, really stressed out. I'm not a robot. I need time off, to recharge my batteries, be with my husband, and take care of mundane things like laundry, never mind trying to have a life.
I have no intention of putting up with this level of stress for much longer. The main thing that's kept me from screaming louder about the situation is my vacation, scheduled to commence on 3/31. If I have to, I'll grit my teeth and slog through until then, but once I'm back from Rome, things need to change, and quickly.
A drone at the corporate HR department told me that since I am an exempt employee, there is no limit to how many hours I can be made to work nor how few days off I can have. Frankly I'm not sure that's really legal, but I haven't had time to find out what the situation really is.
Anyway, I'll try to keep blogging regularly but if I post less frequently, now you know why.
On the good news front, my car is back from the shop again. Here's hoping I've used up my accident quota for the next 20 years or so.
Comments (5)
Hang in there Lux!
Posted by mashby | March 13, 2004 5:14 AM
Hilary was on the same slave schedule and OSHA inspected and told them that she had to be paid half time, for any over time she worked. Within a few weeks, all the over time went away and she doesn't work it at all now.
So, call OSHA.
Posted by Dexter Herron | March 13, 2004 8:22 AM
Like always, I'll continue to think good thoughts. I haven't heard about my labor board claim. That OSHA idea couldn't hurt to explore.
Congratulations on getting your car back. I'll talk to you soon.
Posted by Melissa | March 13, 2004 11:02 AM
I don't know what the heck an "exempt" employee is, but I'm sure there is federal legislation that restricts normal pay to a 5-day work week and everything after that with more pay (or not having to work that extra if not compensated). What I'm not sure of is what that bill is called. I'd second the above of calling OSHA. Your state might also have additional labor protection laws.
Posted by cal | March 18, 2004 8:56 AM
I couldn't help it, I had to look. Here's CA's general stance on the work week taken from http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ_Overtime.htm
"In California, the general overtime provisions are that a nonexempt employee 18 years of age or older, or any minor employee 16 or 17 years of age who is not required by law to attend school and is not otherwise prohibited by law from engaging in the subject work, shall not be employed more than eight hours in any workday or more than 40 hours in any workweek unless he or she receives one and one-half times his or her regular rate of pay for all hours worked over eight hours in any workday and over 40 hours in the workweek. Eight hours of labor constitutes a day's work, and employment beyond eight hours in any workday or more than six days in any workweek is permissible provided the employee is compensated for the overtime at not less than:
One and one-half times the employee's regular rate or pay for all hours worked in excess of eight hours up to and including 12 hours in any workday, and for the first eight hours worked on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek; and
Double the employee's regular rate or pay for all hours worked in excess of 12 hours in any workday and for all hours worked in excess of eight on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek.
There are, however, a number of exemptions from the overtime law. An "exemption" means that the overtime law does not apply to a particular classification of employees. There are also a number of exceptions to the general overtime law stated above. An "exception" means that overtime is paid to a certain classification of employees on a basis that differs from that stated above."
and the exemptions are here: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ_OvertimeExemptions.htm
the only thing I can think of *maybe* is "Order 14", but that doesn't exempt you from overtime pay. *shrug* I didn't find where it requires that you have only a five day work week (I'm pretty sure that's why there are all those overtime rules), so I guess that would be the federal bill. Maybe this will help a wee bit.
Luv,
~me
Posted by cal | March 18, 2004 9:10 AM