Q: In iowa. When I help close store, im being told to clock out. But they won't let me leave, until other worker is done?

Is it legal to make me stay unpaid?

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Civil Rights Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA

A: It's not legal for your employer to require you to stay at work without paying you. If you're being told to clock out but are still required to stay and perform work-related tasks, this is considered "off-the-clock" work, which is illegal under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

In Iowa, like in other states, you must be compensated for all the time you spend working, including the time spent waiting for a coworker to finish. Your employer should pay you for the entire period you're at work if you're not free to leave.

You should discuss this issue with your employer and explain that you're entitled to be paid for all hours worked. If the problem persists, you might want to contact the Iowa Division of Labor or a legal professional to explore further steps to protect your rights.

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