What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
Ok I am new to this forum, but I am giving it a shot because I have seemed to exhausted all my research options and have not been able to find the answer(s) that I am looking for. So from what I understand, the Federal Law does not govern much over Overtime hours. It simply lays out a guideline regarding when you are entitled to overtime pay and how it should be paid, under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). I have research as much as I could regarding any laws created though California on Overtime as well, but only found that California further defined the overtime eligibility a little as far as you get paid overtime for any hours worked passed 8 hours with the exemption of law enforcement and Fire and Rescue Services...so with that said here is the issue that I am facing as well as several other employees.
I work for a Law Enforcement Agency in the southern part of California. Within the last few years we have been plagued with a shortage of staff, do to the fact that a lot of programs have opened up that required staffing and took man power away from the main compose of the job, working the jail. Even with these new spots being opened staffing has not been increased and those empty slots that were created through the program enactment have not been filled either, since then the overtime in the department has been so outrageous that they have began to mandate people to work overtime on their days off to cover the shortage. Problem that I face as well as other Officers is that some of us sign up for several days (when I say several i mean 4 or more days) to help with this shortage, but we still get mandated to have to work even more hours. Right now our schedule is broken down so that we work five days, off two days, work two days, off five days; and our shifts are 12 hours long each working day (from 0700-1900 or 1900-0700). I have looked through all the policies and procedures that govern the facility that I work for and it summarizes as such; mandated overtime is used to cover the shortage from voluntary overtime. This is done by the supervisors at the time. Mandatory overtime may be used when no other personnel wish to sign up to cover shortages and to meet minimum staff requirements. I have also come to learn that they have implemented a inverse seniority list to go off of to mandate people to work, starting from the bottom of seniority to the most senior officer. It also states that if we are unable to work the mandatory overtime for an illness that we are eligible for subsequent mandated overtime.
I do feel that I am pretty much at a stuck end with this situation and just going to have to deal with it as it stands, but any legal information that can be provided or help to create a better working environment is greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance. And please any questions or further information needed please ask away.
Ok I am new to this forum, but I am giving it a shot because I have seemed to exhausted all my research options and have not been able to find the answer(s) that I am looking for. So from what I understand, the Federal Law does not govern much over Overtime hours. It simply lays out a guideline regarding when you are entitled to overtime pay and how it should be paid, under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). I have research as much as I could regarding any laws created though California on Overtime as well, but only found that California further defined the overtime eligibility a little as far as you get paid overtime for any hours worked passed 8 hours with the exemption of law enforcement and Fire and Rescue Services...so with that said here is the issue that I am facing as well as several other employees.
I work for a Law Enforcement Agency in the southern part of California. Within the last few years we have been plagued with a shortage of staff, do to the fact that a lot of programs have opened up that required staffing and took man power away from the main compose of the job, working the jail. Even with these new spots being opened staffing has not been increased and those empty slots that were created through the program enactment have not been filled either, since then the overtime in the department has been so outrageous that they have began to mandate people to work overtime on their days off to cover the shortage. Problem that I face as well as other Officers is that some of us sign up for several days (when I say several i mean 4 or more days) to help with this shortage, but we still get mandated to have to work even more hours. Right now our schedule is broken down so that we work five days, off two days, work two days, off five days; and our shifts are 12 hours long each working day (from 0700-1900 or 1900-0700). I have looked through all the policies and procedures that govern the facility that I work for and it summarizes as such; mandated overtime is used to cover the shortage from voluntary overtime. This is done by the supervisors at the time. Mandatory overtime may be used when no other personnel wish to sign up to cover shortages and to meet minimum staff requirements. I have also come to learn that they have implemented a inverse seniority list to go off of to mandate people to work, starting from the bottom of seniority to the most senior officer. It also states that if we are unable to work the mandatory overtime for an illness that we are eligible for subsequent mandated overtime.
I do feel that I am pretty much at a stuck end with this situation and just going to have to deal with it as it stands, but any legal information that can be provided or help to create a better working environment is greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance. And please any questions or further information needed please ask away.