Forum Post: basics if you can get a job
Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 19, 2011, 3:17 p.m. EST by btgent
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This content is user submitted and not an official statement
It is insane that we have a minimum wage law but no federal job standards. No law requires a break for any reason,including a meal, no matter how long you work. You can be fired for not working overtime no matter how long you worked already in that shift. If you work to many hours in a week the employer can just say don't come in even if you are scheduled. they can call you in at will, and can fire you for not coming in. these are just a few short comings employees are faced with. These are common situations but it varies from state to state. There is also no federal standard for full time employee status. Just be cause you work 40 hours doesn't cover it in some states. There needs to be legislation because some states and employers are abusing the lack of controls.
Unions are not always the answer for every job situation. In a small business situation, bringing in a union will often change the dynamics, thus bringing up the cost of running the business, which then gets passed onto the customer. With that comes layoffs unfortunately.
That is what a union is for.
Yup. But getting a union into a workplace is very difficult, and then getting a decent contract is even more difficult, given the current laws.
There are laws in place on a state by state basis. In NYS there are mandatory breaks alloted by how many hours one works. Minimum of 30 min for an 8 hour work day. Overtime is anything worked over 40 hrs , and after 44 hours for live in help such as a nanny or household help. Not sure how other states work, but my guess is they all follow similar laws. If unsure when accepting a job, you should ask what the standards are in that company.
You can also be paid less than minimum legally.
Just ask any waiter or waitress.
A few more laws from the Fair Labor group and we will all be ready to shut down operations.
You need to start at the top with the federal laws and get to your point. This business of the round-about problem definition is getting to the point of absurd - if you know what the variations are from state-to-state, what are they, and for what states. You expect all of us to see a problem in a 7 line statement? Just can't go there.