https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:34:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891690 Fri, 19 Jul 2019 12:30:10 +0000 gotkimchi 2891690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: we’re actually modified full time so when they reduced our hours we lost pay, but we kept our insurance (no change in cost) 401k match etc. I guess the only benefit change was our vacation weeks were reduced to 31 hours as well </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891689 Fri, 19 Jul 2019 12:28:05 +0000 MrsSCB 2891689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: has a good point. What are your benefits at 31 hours? If you're expected to "be available" 40 hours, seems like you should also be receiving full benefits, if you aren't already. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891683 Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:53:40 +0000 kiddosc 2891683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So 31 hours is usually considered a part-time employee with corresponding reduced benefits. If they are changing the position to a full-time one, I would want that in a new contract with new full-time benefits structure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891640 Fri, 19 Jul 2019 06:24:02 +0000 gotkimchi 2891640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: @bhbee: @nwm: ok one question I asked them was “are we accruing more vacation” and they said they don’t know but I think if we’re averaging more hours then we should be getting additional benefits </p> <p>That’s sort of what I thought like maybe they can’t make you work but they also don’t have to employ you so it’s sort of take it or leave it :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891635 Fri, 19 Jul 2019 05:03:52 +0000 Becky 2891635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went through something similar a few years ago when the labor law legislation was coming through. I researched it pretty deeply and basically yes, they can do whatever they want. We went from being full time at 37.5 hours to being full time at 40 hours with no pay increase. However, they did have us sign new employment letters stating our new hours. </p> <p>In your situation I think what I’d want to ask about is how your benefits and personal leave will change. I get at least a full day more of vacation and sick time per year than my counterparts who work closer to 30 hours per week. </p> <p>Also with the whole salaried thing, you technically have to work until the work is done. So if there’s 50 hours of work that needs to be done, you’re it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891630 Thu, 18 Jul 2019 22:56:57 +0000 bhbee 2891630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with @nwm: - Many salaried positions are “at will”. There may be language like this:<br /> Like all other employees, you will be considered an employee at will, and nothing in this letter or any other statement made to you will be deemed to constitute an agreement of employment for any specific period of time. This means that either you or CompanyX may terminate the relationship at any time with or without cause.</p> <p>(My background is recruiting, not law, btw.) If so I think they can basically tell you whatever they want about changing the required hours, just like they could terminate you without cause (like if they just wanted to downsize). It’s certainly annoying and frustrating, especially if it means you need to look for a new job, but I think they’re within their rights. You may have some leverage if you have, say, extensive training in order to be able to do the job. It’s fairly expensive to find new hires and bring them up to speed, so they likely want to keep you (but again would be at their discretion). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891627 Thu, 18 Jul 2019 21:30:59 +0000 nwm 2891627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do not know for sure, but I think in most states as long as they’re offering to meet all the requirements that go along with 40 hours (pay, benefits, overtime as applicable), they can unfortunately change the terms of your employment pretty much at will. Maybe someone will chime in and correct me though and your state might offer more protections. Have they given you notice in advance? Do you have any leverage or opportunity to negotiate? Sounds like a very frustrating sudden change! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891618 Thu, 18 Jul 2019 20:21:51 +0000 Kemma 2891618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m not in the USA but in New Zealand your employer would be required to offer additional compensation unless the “on call” hours were already covered as part of your salary. But if it’s not written in your contract then I’d imagine they can’t make you do the additional hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891609 Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:54:51 +0000 gotkimchi 2891609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit7: yes, no union </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891604 Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:47:13 +0000 Littlebit7 2891604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Am I correct in assuming you aren’t in a union? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891596 Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:09:26 +0000 gotkimchi 2891596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nwm: there is no period - no end date, just this is your salary at 31 hours for this location </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891592 Thu, 18 Jul 2019 18:58:13 +0000 nwm 2891592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not an employment law expert by any means but my guess is it depends on the term of that contract—do they guarantee you employment on those terms for a defined period? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-legal-question#post-2891572 Thu, 18 Jul 2019 16:57:32 +0000 gotkimchi 2891572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any law bees here?</p> <p>My job is salaried at 31 hours. We have just been told that we need to be available for 40 hours for them to use us as coverage at other locations. If we work more then 31 we will be paid but is it legal for them to force us to work more then our contracted hours? </p>