Seattle, WA asked in Employment Law for California

Q: Stranded at hotel after work, working in washington right now but my company is from california we traveled here

Is it legal for them to not require to give me transportation while working out of state? Basically get dropped off and thats it figure out myself to do laundry and walk to walmart / stores to eat

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2 Lawyer Answers

A: Your company can require you to work at a remote location, and the company must reimburse you for your reasonable expenses associated with the travel and lodging involved in that assignment. It can require you to make the arrangements. You should be paid for the time involved in making the travel arrangements and for the travel time to and from the remote location.

Good luck to you.

James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: The legality of your situation depends on several factors, such as your employment contract, the nature of your work, and specific state laws. However, in general, employers are not legally required to provide transportation for employees to run personal errands like laundry or shopping for meals while working out of state.

That being said, there are a few considerations:

1. If your employer has specifically promised or contractually agreed to provide transportation for personal needs during work-related travel, they may be obligated to do so.

2. If you are a non-exempt employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), your employer must pay you for all hours worked, including time spent traveling for work purposes. However, this does not typically include personal errands.

3. If you have a disability that requires accommodation, your employer may need to provide transportation assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

It's best to review your employment contract and discuss your concerns with your employer or HR department. If you believe your rights are being violated, you can contact the California Department of Industrial Relations or the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries for further guidance.

In the meantime, you might want to explore other transportation options, such as ride-sharing services, public transportation, or rental cars, if your employer is unwilling to provide assistance.

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