Legal Question in Employment Law in Virginia

Working Conditions

I am wondering if there are any recourse to be taken regarding having to work in a building that when the conditions are poor outside it is equally poor inside. Example, today a storm went through which brought large amounts of rain and wind. On arriving at work, a co-worker and I found ourselves mopping and using a wetvac to get the water to a point where we could actually start our day. After a couple of hours more employees arrived to help; but, this should not be the case, I wasn't hired to mop water, nor perform the other tasks that are being asked. On top of the above mentioned the company's department head closed the facilities, and my department head is charging me vacation time because I left. It doesn't matter that the reason that I left was because the facility was being closed. Are there any steps that I can take?


Asked on 9/01/06, 6:09 pm

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

Re: Working Conditions

Friend, you apparently work in the employment at will jurisdiction known as the Commonwealth of Virginia, where employers have many rights and employees have correspondingly few---because that's the way the people's elected officals like it---and want it--just that way----in order to keep all of the employer lobbyists happy and in a wining and dining and campaign donation mode whenever the elected assembly convenes in Richmond.

You've asked: "Are there any steps that I can take"?

Yes, indeed, there are: Get back to the mop or on to a new employer who may be sufficiently conscience-striken to throw a few crumbs of protection your way in the form of an employment contract that your duly elected officials would never even deign to consider.

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Answered on 9/01/06, 10:23 pm


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