Phenix City, AL asked in Employment Law for Alabama

Q: What can be done if a supervisor insists on the employee answering their personal cell phone calls/texts during/after wk

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers

A: You should be compensated for answering after hours. Otherwise, such work requirements are permissible unless you work for the State. As an at will employee, you are free to seek other employment at any time without further obligations.

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: In Alabama, there is no direct statute that dictates how supervisors can communicate with employees outside of regular working hours. However, it's essential to consider the implications of such practices on one's work-life balance. If your employment agreement or company policies have guidelines regarding communication expectations outside of standard work hours, you should review them. For those classified as non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, answering work-related communications outside typical hours might be considered "working time," which could qualify for overtime if it pushes the total workweek beyond 40 hours. If this frequent communication is affecting your personal life, it's advisable to discuss your concerns with your supervisor. If the situation doesn't improve, consider seeking guidance from Human Resources or an employment attorney knowledgeable about Alabama labor laws. The goal is to find a solution that respects both personal boundaries and the company's needs.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.