what can i do legally

[dontknowlaw1980]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ny

I work for a small printing company and I work for a boss who does not pay overtime and if you work overtime he does not pay it he will you take time off the week after to make up for it . Also I work in a small room with with alot of cleaning chemicals that most people can't stand and the only ventilation I have is a standard kitchen fan also the place I work in has wires hanging from the ceiling and we have so much power issues because the place is rigged up nothing professional about it. I have been working there for seven years I have mentioned these issues to my boss but nothing has been done. I would like to know what rights I have and what I can do legally because now things are getting worse a

 

[Ohiogal]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ny

I work for a small printing company and I work for a boss who does not pay overtime and if you work overtime he does not pay it he will you take time off the week after to make up for it . Also I work in a small room with with alot of cleaning chemicals that most people can't stand and the only ventilation I have is a standard kitchen fan also the place I work in has wires hanging from the ceiling and we have so much power issues because the place is rigged up nothing professional about it. I have been working there for seven years I have mentioned these issues to my boss but nothing has been done. I would like to know what rights I have and what I can do legally because now things are getting worse a

Find a new job. Does he pay you for the time you take off the following week? Report him to OSHA and the DOL.

 

[ecmst12]

It's not legal to offset overtime worked in one week with time off a different week. If you work more than 40 hours in one week you must be paid overtime for hours over 40. The only way to legally offset is with time off the SAME WEEK so that your hours for the week don't exceed 40. Contact your state DOL.

 

[cbg]

These are the things you should do.

1.) File a claim for the unpaid overtime with the state DOL.

2.) Stop working unapproved overtime.

 

[commentator]

You'd best be looking for another job, too. Because the DOL if they come in, will not tell him who called and complained, but he may suspect it. Therefore, he may fire you for some jacked up reason. It's legal for him to fire at will, I doubt if any kind of whistleblower's protection would help much.

He may also fire you for a made up fake reason, or might even close down the business if you call OSHA and complain about the unsafe working conditions. So you'd be out of a job of seven years duration without much recourse except possible a little unemployment, and no job to go to right away. Better, really, to find another job before you leave and then move on. This guy and this place are losers from the get go, they're going to do things slipshod no matter what, and your actions won't turn it into a good place to work no matter who you complain to.