Legal Question in Employment Law in New York

can my employer require work for no pay?

I am an instructor at a culinary school. My employer has proposed a contract which stipulates the following:

Full-time employees are required to participate in one charity benefit per year.

All employees are required to donate between 10-25 hours of ''service'' to the employer each year.

All employees are required to attend, without pay, 3 faculty development seminars per year.

Is my employer legally permitted to require these things?


Asked on 12/04/06, 9:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jason Stern Law Offices of Jason Stern

Re: can my employer require work for no pay?

The legalities of your employer's requirements depend on whether you qualify as an exempt employee or not. Generally speaking, hourly non-managerial level employees must be paid for all work performed with time and a half for overtime. Generally, non-exempt salaried employees can be required to work overtime and weekends without additional compensation.

Without having the opportunity to review the contract and your employment status, I cannot advise you further. If you need additional assistance, you may contact me via email.

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Answered on 12/05/06, 4:14 pm


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