Off the clock work

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Off the clock work

I am a nurse/lactation consultant working in a hospital salary. I am a non-exempt status and clock in and out for regularly scheduled shifts. We are being required to do a presentation at one of our monthly staff meetings. We have been told that this requirement is mandatory. In order to prepare for this presentation we are expected to use our time off at home to research a topic and then become knowledgeable on the topic and write up a presentation to present at a staff meeting. I have in writing from my management team that we are being expected to do whatever research and prep time is required for this on our own tone and will not be paid for it. It seems to me that the FLSA would dictate we are paid for whatever time we work on this project since it is required for our job. Also, the department is using the presentations as a way to apply for and provide continuing education hours to employees, so they are benefiting from this. Is this in violation of the law?

Asked on April 5, 2019 under Employment Labor Law, Georgia

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

The issue is whether the off-the-clock work is mandatory--you must spend your time after or other than on-shift doing it--or "merely" highly recommended--that is, if you don't do it, you will likely look bad by not being fully prepared, but you could, if you were willing to take that risk, skip the off-the-clock work. If required, you must be paid for it; if not required but merely a good idea, you are not. You describe a situation where it not clear cut: you are "expected" to research a topic and become knowledgeable about it, but what if you are already knowledgeable? What if you don't need research and prep time? If you did no off the clock work but turned in a good presentation, would you be punished for not doing the off-the-clock work? If you would not be, then that suggests it is not required and so not paid.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption