Legal Question in Employment Law in Massachusetts

paid 1-9:30 employer requires us to come in early to setup (not paid)

OK,

I am currently working the second shift 1pm - 9:30pm and am granted a 30m lunch(paid) and 2 15m breaks(unpaid) i am paid for an 8 hour day. My employer has come out and stated that we are now all required to come in at least 15 minutes early to setup so that we are ''ready to go'' when our shift starts. This entitles turning on computer, opening a number of applications, logging into phone, and finishing up any work from previous day that was sent back. The employer thinks they are not required to pay for this ''setup time'' Is there any legal aspect to this I could take? In addition when coming back from lunch or break, we are required to come back early to setup again so were ''ready'' when break is officially over, this easly makes a 15min break 5min and a 30min lunch 20min.

Any help??


Asked on 9/29/05, 4:53 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: paid 1-9:30 employer requires us to come in early to setup (not paid)

It will depend how many employees your employer has and if he is covered by MA or Federal employment rules. Assuming they are, then contact the DOL and the fair labor standards dept. This area governs rules about break times and set-up times. you can even get information online.

Good Luck

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Answered on 9/29/05, 5:25 pm


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