For-profit and "volunteer" hours? - FL

[Fuddrucker]

I work for a national chain, this weekend we are holding a special event at which about 15 employees from various stores in our district were asked to come in and setup, as well as staff the event all day.

I was one of the lucky people chosen, at least until I found out that they weren't compensating us for our time. Some of the attendees are salaried and perhaps it is in their contracts to help with special events, but several more are hourly (including myself) or even commission. Are they allowed to have us "volunteer" to make them more money?

 

[ecmst12]

No, if you are a non-exempt employee, it is not legal for them to refuse to pay you for hours worked. However since FL has no real department of labor, your options are to contact the US DOL (who will only get you minimum wage, and take a long time about it), or sue them.