Preliminary Duties?

[kklix]

What is the name of your state? Ga.

I work for a contractor in the security industry (hourly). I am required to be to work at line-up with all required equipment, i.e. weapons, car keys, radio excetra at 0645. My time for being paid starts at 0645. My problem is that some times I get to work and have to wait in line to get my equipment as there is only one person to issue equip and 20+ people receiving the equip. I may not get my equip. and get in line-up until 0650. This is considered tardy and can be used for disiplinary procedures. The managment has told me that they will have to "prod" people to come in earlier to speed up things.
The questions 1. can I be made to come in earlier and not be "on the Clock"? 2. Can I be disiplined when I have to wait in line to get equip and therfore causing me to be late for line-up. 3. Is it leagal for the company to turn in a time sheet to payroll that states that my check in time is 0645 when I sign a check in sheet that has an earlier time than the one turned in? thnax

 

[Beth3]

1. No.

2. Yes, even though it's not logical to do so.

3. That depends on whether the time you're at work prior to 6:45am can be considered work time. Based on what you have written, it is.

You can contact GA's Department of Labor to discuss your situation with you and file a complaint if you wish. Federal DOL rulings are clear on this though - if an employee is required to be at work at a certain time in order to prepare for their job (eg. put on a uniform, get equipment, etc.), the time is compensible.

 

[kklix]

thanx

GA,
Thanx for the input. Could you expound a bit on the ability to induce disiplinary procedures? If I am at work doing work how is it my fault for being late?

 

[Beth3]

It's because no laws require an employer to make logical or rational decisions. If I want to, I can tell my assistant to stop at the bakery when it opens at 8am and pick up donuts and then discipline her for being late to work. Stupid? Sure. Are idiotic decisions like that guaranteed to result in a steady turnover of my assistants? Of course. But none of that is against the law. No laws make it unlawful for the boss to be an idiot.

 

[kklix]

What if this being "late " turns into me getting suspended and then possibly terminated? Any recourse?

 

[Beth3]

No. It would be incredibly stupid and grossly unfair but it wouldn't be illegal.

 

[kklix]

GA,
Ms Beth, Whom do I contact now? I have been told that we are under government contract and that the laws r different some times.

 

[Beth3]

Government contractors have some different rules/regulations to comply with but I rather doubt this is one of them. You still work in the private sector and are not employed by the State or federal government.

If you want to check this out further, contact your State's Department of Labor. Or if your firm is a contractor to the federal government, contract the federal DOL.