Legal Question in Employment Law in Virginia

Not paid- No electricity

We had storms which caused power lines to fall and create power outages. My employer called me as I on my way in and informed me that no one could get into the building due to the power being out and advised me to call back at 10am. I did & she informed that the building was still without power and to call back again at Noon. I did so and got no answer. She finally called me back at 3pm to say we had just gotten power back, but to not worry about coming to work at that point. Today-we were told that we have to take vacation or to not get paid for the day. I am a single mom, work 40 hours a week and depend on this money to pay my bills and I never have enough! I drive a car that is old and really dangerous, because I cannot afford a new one. I do not shop for ANYTHING, except the bare essentials (i.e. food), never go out to eat and still have to make sacrifices daily. Since I didn�t voluntarily take off time� shouldn�t I get paid? It may have been beyond their control, but it is not like I had a day of leisure, because I got ready for work and was waiting by the phone all day � expecting to get the call to come on in. Plus�I have to pay for day care whether my child attends or not. It doesn�t seem fair.


Asked on 7/13/09, 12:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Not paid- No electricity

No, unfortunately, unless you were working under a contract which required your employer to pay you under the circumstance described, she would otherwise have no obligation to do so (in my estimate of the matter).

Read more
Answered on 7/14/09, 10:05 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Labor and Employment Law questions and answers in Virginia