Q: How can Maury County make you put in driving hours for free? This question pertains to driving a School Bus.
I was driving a school bus route which took over my allotted time of two hours. Anything over two hours was performed for free. They also required me to drive across town to fill up their bus with def fuel. This was also done with no pay. Any repairs or inspections that are necessary were also performed without pay. My bus was parked at Battle Creek Middle School in Spring Hill, TN which was a 40-minute drive each way to the bus depot. I was not the only driver dealing with this situation. The drivers let this happen because they are at the mercy of the county-provided health insurance. I do not need their insurance, so I refused to drive for free and resigned. Are there no laws to protect us older folks in the workplace from
being forced to work for free?
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A:
You have the right to be compensated for all the hours you work, including any overtime beyond your scheduled two hours. Under federal and state labor laws, employers must pay employees for all time worked, and forcing you to perform additional duties without pay is not permissible. This applies to all employees, regardless of age.
Additionally, requiring you to make extra trips, handle repairs, or perform other tasks without compensation may violate labor regulations. It’s important to document all instances where you were required to work beyond your paid hours and any related communications with your employer. This information will be valuable if you decide to take further action.
You should reach out to the Tennessee Department of Labor or a local labor rights organization for guidance on your specific situation. They can help you understand your rights and the best steps to take to ensure you are treated fairly in the workplace. Protecting your rights is important, and there are resources available to support you.
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