Are employers allowed to require employees to work additional hours without pay?

In California, employers are not allowed to require employees to work additional hours without pay. According to the state’s wage and hour laws, employers must pay their employees overtime pay when they work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week. This law applies to part-time and full-time employees, as well as independent contractors. Employers may not threaten to fire or punish their employees for not consenting to work additional hours without pay. If employers violate these laws, they could face significant penalties, including paying the employee back wages, damages, and penalties. Additionally, California specifically prohibits employers from “requiring an employee to work overtime as a condition of continued employment”. Employers must provide overtime pay for any hours worked in that situation. In summary, employers are prohibited from requiring their employees to work additional hours without pay in California. If employers violate this law, they could face serious legal consequences.

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