Can your employer make you work unsociable hours without paying you any extra money?

Answer 1

While the term 'unsociable' isn't clear to me, the general answer is still yes. Barring some other factor, union rules, employment contract, etc., the employer has complete control over your work schedule. Shift differential (extra money paid for certain shifts), holiday pay, vacation pay, sick pay, and most other pay related issues are often completely under the employers control. As long as the number of hours isn't changed, when the hours are worked probably won't get you extra money.

Answer 2

It depends. An employer could offer employees the option of cashing out- or continuing to work at a lower rate of pay. More hours same pay or lower pay. Unions have often agreed to these arrangements..

Salaried employees are often subjected to speed ups, salary reduction etc.

But if and only if it is done across the board. If an employee is singled out because they are black, or old , or an illegal immigrant- we will report you if you don't play ball- then the employer in my view is guilty of at least a wage and hour violation or a thirteenth amendment violation.

The issue turns on what constitutes a threat. Of course as long as the employee was free to walk away there is no true coercion. The problem is freedom is contextual. Generally in my view if employees are singled out and threatened with job loss if they don't play ball and they are vulnerable only because of their status as minorities I think the slavery definition applies.

Answer 3

Yes