Is it legal to force an employee to work more than 16 hours a day?

[Cobalt Violet]

I have looked through my state laws for information specific to this and couldn't find it. Does anyone know if it is a federal law? Is it legal to require anyone to work more than 16 hrs. in a 24 hr. period?

[flyingfysh]

1. It happens routinely with hospital interns

I don't know if it is legal, but it is common for interns to work 36 hours at a stretch. Some of them have been complaining that when they get that tired, they can make mistakes, and this isn't good for the patients.

[knitter4democracy]

18. They've been trying to fight that, but you're right

The accrediting agency for residency programs has put hours limits into place, but they're still really long. My husband's intern year in medicine, 100-120 hour work weeks weren't unusual. Would you want your doctor working those kinds of hours? I wouldn't--I've seen him act like he's awake only to not remember any of it later.

[burn the bush]

2. i thought that they had to give you certain breaks for however many hours

that you work and cannot make you report back to work without an 8 hour shift in between. Your department of labor will answer your questions.

[Cobalt Violet]

9. I'm going to have to call.

Monday morning I'm going to call.

[steely]

3. I think we have some sort of 72 per week limit.

My work is technical/mfg.
I think we abide by some sort of Fed regs.
Am not sure if there is daily limit.
How about the National Labor relations board?

[eyepaddle]

21. When I was working offshore

on oilrigs we worked 12 hour shifts--it was twelve on/twelve off, for as long as you were out there. That's an 84 hour work week. However, if there was a lot to do you could easily go past 12 on. The longest I was persona;;y out for was about a month.

Dear god I hate the oil industry. I am so thankful I get to speak of it in past tense!

[Last Lemming]

4. Paramedics--fireman

24 hr shifts

[Cobalt Violet]

7. But aren't they allowed to sleep if not called to duty? n/t

[Last Lemming]

16. Yes but if it's a busy day

or a busy night, you are out of luck

[oneighty]

5. Working Exempt Payroll

at a University we often worked sixteen hours and more in a twenty four hour period. (24 hour a day experiments) requiring people on hand all the time. It was very interesting so there was no complaining-except we were denied comp time.

180

[madrchsod]

6. depends on the job and the state

i know that in illinois you cannot work over 16 hours.

[Cobalt Violet]

8. I've heard that about Massachusetts but haven't found the law.

I thought maybe it was a federal law.

[housewolf]

10. It's state law

I think there are some federal regulations but most of them are state laws. You can check each state's website, their labor laws should be posted there. Many states requuire that the labor laws be posted at each place of employment so that workers can be aware of the laws.

[Solly Mack]

11. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not limit the number of hours per

day or per week that employees aged 16 years and older can be required to work."

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/013.htm

Check your state laws as well.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. It depends on your job

You should check your state's laws but keep in mind that some jobs are exempt from labor laws.

[Vanje]

13. I did wildland firefighting for a while.

16 hour shifts were routine.
That was the ealy 90s. There was some limitation on how many 16 hour stretches they could make you do before giving you 24 hours off. It was pretty close to human physiological limits.
I cant remember the details, and I think I remember hearing that last year they increased the hours they could work firefighters.

The Repubs now have whitehouse, congress and the courts. You'll work and work, and be happy about it until you drop, (you lazy whining bastard!). Then, by God, if you still want that job, you'll get up, paste that happy smile on your undeserving face,and drag your ass to work again, because, Boy, theres hundreds of healthy strong men and women that'll do your job for 2 bucks an hour and keep smiling too....and if we cant find them here, we sure can find them in Mexico....or China, ...or Malaysia.....

Shit. I am SO sorry.

[ohioliberal]

14. If your salaried they can work you as

many hours as they want.

[Cobalt Violet]

15. I'm hourly.

I've been hired by another company. They are waiting until after the holidays to set up a training week for new hires. I don't know how soon it will be.

[ikojo]

17. I don't think it's illegal. I do believe the employees

are entitled to a break every four hours though. For the most part employers can work us as long as they want but they must pay overtime if the employee is eligible (fewer are thanks to Bush and his Demopublican supporters).

[Liberty Belle]

19. Call your state fair employment practices commission,

or whatever the appropriate labor regulatory board is called in your area.

[Tweed]

20. It shouldn't be?

Do I get a prize now?

[NNN0LHI]

22. Think they can legally work you 16 or more hours without a union contract?

Thats my take on it.

Don