Legal Question in Employment Law in Connecticut

I am an exempt employee (Engineer) making +100k. My employer has a habit of mandating 50+ hour weeks during the last 3 months of every year. At times it is acknowledged that our department is not behind schedule and that it is pretty much "face time". This affects about 60 people in my company.

1) Is this legal?

2) What can my employer do to me if I can't (or won't) meet their demands?

3) I have gotten excellent reviews every year. Will I have a case if they suddenly start to harass me for not meeting their arbitrary overtime requirements?

Thanks,

[email protected]


Asked on 9/16/10, 7:23 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Richard Hayber Hayber Law Firm, LLC

If you and the other 60 people are truly "exempt" from overtime, then it is not illegal to work you 50-60 hours and not pay you for the time. Those of you who earn more than $100,000 per year are exempt under the "highly compensated employee" exemption. Those who earn less, may or may not be exempt depending on their actual duties.

Your employer may not harass you for legitimate complaints about overtime. Whether or not you have the right to refuse to work is a more complex question which should be presented to an experienced attorney.

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Answered on 9/21/10, 7:33 am


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