Company forcing "mandatory" overtime - and lots of it.

[KDOG2009]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

-New Jersey-

Hi all. I'm an hourly paid factory employee in Southern New Jersey. They are absolutely killing us with mandatory overtime. I thought mandatory overtime was illegal in New Jersey. We have to work OT in 4 hr blocks up to 3 days a week. And it goes on pretty much year round! People are getting write ups and suspensions if they don't work their overtime. They make you sign up for days by bringing a list around and telling you that you have to sign up for X amount of slots.

What is the law in regards to this here? What are my rights? Can they terminate and/or discipline me for refusing to do it? Its ridiculous. I'm constantly exhausted and have even had a car accident from nodding off from all this overtime. Its just too much. I've been there 12 yrs and have a handicapped son so I cannot lose my insurance. I feel like I'm being taken advantage of. I would appreciate any help you can give me! Thanks.....

[JETX]

Originally Posted by KDOG2009

What is the law in regards to this here? What are my rights? Can they terminate and/or discipline me for refusing to do it?

All of your questions can be answered at:
[url=http://lwd.state.nj.us/labor/index.shtml]Department of Labor and Workforce Development[/url]

[eerelations]

It's legal as long as they pay you the appropriate rates for it.

[pattytx]

I don't mean to disparage your question, and I'm not unsympathetic, but there are millions of people in this country who would LOVE to have a job with all the overtime they can get, let alone a job with at least 40 hours per week, let alone just a job.

[KDOG2009]

Some people my love overtime, but when its forced and its killing you its not so great. Its getting ridiculous. They want TOO MUCH of it. There has to be a limit to it....

[ecmst12]

Well, there isn't.

[JETX]

Originally Posted by KDOG2009

Some people my love overtime, but when its forced and its killing you its not so great. Its getting ridiculous. They want TOO MUCH of it. There has to be a limit to it....

If you can't handle it.... quit and let someone else who NEEDS it have your job.
Pretty simple, huh??

[eerelations]

As several people have said, there is no limit.

You can say there "should be" a limit all you want, but that won't change the fact that there is no limit. Period.

[commentator]

Sad but true. Sign of the times in that some companies are chosing to work their good horses to death. They have a trained and productive employee, and because it is cheaper to pay overtime to this person than to hire a new untrained person, they make two or three jobs out of what should be one job.

Eventually, safety issues do come into play. During WWII it was determined that after a certain number of hours, a worker's efficiency and judgment are seriously impaired, making them much more likely to make mistakes and have accidents. Not to mention passing out on the floor. "If you can't take it, quit!" is the mantra of these types of employers.

Quit and give your job to another worker means (in our free market society) no health insurance, no unemployment insurance, no income support of any kind. Unless you have personal wealth and/or a working spouse, that's not really an option for most people.

I have personal knowledge of a situation at a company in NJ where OSHA has become involved due to the excessive overtime being worked there. It is frequently a safety hazard.

[JETX]

Originally Posted by commentator

Sad but true. Sign of the times in that some companies are chosing to work their good horses to death. They have a trained and productive employee, and because it is cheaper to pay overtime to this person than to hire a new untrained person, they make two or three jobs out of what should be one job.

That is only a small part of the problem...

A new hire COSTS the employer in:
1) New equipment (computer, desk, uniform, tools, vehicle, etc.)
2) Several hundred dollars (or more) in 'lost productivity' due to training (both direct and loss of productivity from 'trainer').
3) Over $500 per month (or more) in insurance premiums (paid by company).
4) Two-weeks per year 'wages' due to vacation benefit.
5) One week per years 'wages' due to 'allowed sick leave' benefit'
6) Two-weeks per year 'wages' due to 10 paid holidays.

Not to mention the costs of an occasional jury duty, etc.... the costs of a new-hire very quickly add up to exceed the 50% premium paid to an experienced qualified 'over-time' worker.

If the OP doesn't like the numbers of hours he is working... he should be a junior associate at a law firm (God I hated that!!) or maybe a Resident Physician!!

I have personal knowledge of a situation at a company in NJ where OSHA has become involved due to the excessive overtime being worked there. It is frequently a safety hazard.

Good. Then eventually someone might pass a law or rule restricting the amount of overtime worked in NJ. Until then.... as noted by SEVERAL responders already in this thread.... no restrictions at this time!!