Can an employer make you work 24 hour shifts?
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Can an employer make you work 24 hour shifts?
I am a registered nurse and I am being scheduled 24 hour shifts because another nurse calls off. Is it legal in OH?
Asked on July 25, 2011 Ohio
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Under the employment laws of all states a person can work a twenty-four (24) hour shift as requested by the employer assuming that working such type of shift is customary in the type of work that the person is requested to be doing such a long shift on. You are under no obligation to accept such a long shift and if you do not, you cannot legally be penalized for refusing the long shift by your employer.
For example, firemen and firewoman typically work a forty-eight to seventy-two hour shift with days off thereafter as a matter of custom and practice.
In your situation, you are required to have your allowed breaks, time to eat and time to sleep during your shift to be rested, productive and do a safe job in tending your patients.
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