How can I sue my employer for work stress, etc. if I’m a minor?

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How can I sue my employer for work stress, etc. if I’m a minor?

I have been working for a company for over 2 years now and over the course of this time. My employer has consistently made other workers as well as I, late to our events due to her own issues and made us stay later to make for that time without pay. She rarely gives 24 hour notice before our shift. She consistently forgets shifts on checks. She exploits minors by binding them by a contract that they are too young to understand.

Asked on September 10, 2019 under Employment Labor Law, Alaska

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 4 years ago | Contributor

There is no lawsuit or legal claim for work stress, including for minors, because there is no legal right to a no- or low-stress work environment: work, to be blunt, may legally be incredibly stressful. There is no obligation on employers to provide you notice of shifts. There is no restriction on an employer's ability to make you stay late due to her errors. She does not have to take any consideration of your events or your life needs. Employment in this nation is employment at will: there is no right to a job, let alone a fair job.
However, you must be paid for all hours and shifts worked if you are an hourly employee: it is illegal for your employer to "forget shifts on checks" or to make you work without pay. You do have a legal claim for that. The best way to pursue it is to contact the state or federal Dept. of Labor to file a wage-and-hour claim.
As to contracts: due to your age, they may not be binding on you, since typically minors may not enter into enforcerable contracts.


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