I am required to wear FRC fire retardant clothing and have to be dressed and ready to go at 8:00am. I am giving the company my time about 15 to 20 minutes before my shift starts and I would like for them to give me time to get out of the plant in a timely manner. We can't get out of the plant if we shower until; 15 minutes after the shift ends. We don't clock in or out. We just fill out a time card and put it in a box. I went ahead and put some time on a card the other day and will probably get time off for it. I am just wanting to be treated fairly. I need to know more about labor practices. Any suggestions?
Thanks F. e.
Were you aware you had to wear fire retardant clothing when you took the job? Were you aware you would have to shower after work before you could leave the plant when you took the job?
A company only has to pay you for actual time worked, not time dressing for work or undressing when you are done working.
I realize this seems to be unfair.
If you are that unhappy have you considered looking for a job elsewhere?
I guess I think you have an interesting idea of "fair". I had a specific dress requirement when I worked at Bill Knapps. I never claimed my dressing time on my time card. I usually showered after work so I didn't smell like food. I never claimed my dressing time on my time card.
I responded to your other post. I think you should be asking the company what their policy is, not a bunch of women who don't know anything about your job. If you are allowed to claim time from the time you walk in the door until the time you walk out, then do it. But if you are supposed to be claiming only the time you WORK not the preparation for that work, then you shouldn't be claiming the time you take in getting dressed. Everyone has to get dressed for work, be it a uniform or not, I don't know anyone who gets paid to put on their clothes.
Are your co-workers complaining too? You should ask HR or management why they changed the policy. It's hard when you had something and a company takes it away, but that doesn't mean the company is wrong. I have lots of friends who are required to wear uniforms on the job and they don't get paid until shift starts. No company should have to pay their employees to take a shower or get dressed. Either get over it or find a new job.
I am an HR professional, though my experience is in the financial industry and therefore, the laws may be different for your industry. Our employees followed a specific dress code - they were not compensated for their time to get dressed for work in their required clothing. Showers also were not included.
Is getting dressed and showering afterwards part of your job description? Is the showering before you leave work REQUIRED as part of your job? If you can answer "yes" to these, you may want to talk to your employer/HR Dept./Union rep. If no, then you can assume your job is like everyone else's where personal hygiene and putting on a uniform are not included in the pay. In most places of employment, people are expected to be at their desk/station/department ready to work at a set time. The preparation to get to and from those places is not considered compensated work.
If you have a union, you should have a Union Rep. You can ask them and they will know what the rules are for your company.
That being said, I agree with what another person has already said. Be thankful you have a job. My husband was out of work for 9 months. We had to move when he found a new job, left our friends, our family, our home. BUT ... we did it gratefully because he had a job.
I have no problem with people getting paid overtime for actually WORKING overtime. But seriously .... getting paid to get dressed and undressed for work?
Most people have to wear some sort of "uniform" for work, even Executives.... there will be an acceptable dress code. However, typically people don't get paid to get ready for work. They are just expected to be at work at a particular time ready for their job.
This probably is not what you want to hear, but I am just happy to have a job. In today's environment, it is the best you can hope for.
My husband had a job where he always got there early and stayed late...gave 110%.
They decided one day they did not like him and just fired him.
On the other hand, I know of people who work in union jobs and simply don't produce.
Life isn't fair.
You know that you are giving an honest day's work for a day's pay, and you can look at yourself in the mirror and feel good about yourself.
F.,
I think you should go to your HR dept. with these questions - they are better suited to answer them than a website that is for moms to get parenting advice.
And, seriously, in this economy, count your blessings that you have a job. Some of us aren't that lucky.
Have a good day,
J.
Many employees have to wear uniforms for work. They are required to be at their station or job ready to work at the start of their shift. Companies are not obligated to pay you to get ready for work or to shower after your shift. There are federal and state labor laws which can be accessed through the internet at http://www.com.ohio.gov/laws/ . If you are not in Ohio, check for a similar link for your state.
Why don't you call the labor board? They will tell you what is required from the company. You don't have to tell them your name, just let them know that you are calling for information. They will let you know what your rights are and what the rights of the company are. This is probably your best bet as you will get EXACT information instead of just opinions.
Good luck.
