Manager wants to have mandatory meeting during our unpaid lunch break, is this legal?

r/

Location: Iowa

Pretty much what the title says. We are expected to attend a mandatory “lunch and learn” meeting where they will bring in lunch and give a little seminar. We typically have a 1 hour unpaid lunch break so I asked my manager if it would be paid this time since it is a work activity, to which they said no since they don’t have the budget for overtime so we are expected to just use this as our normal lunch break.

Now I have always been under the impression that you can’t be asked to do work during times where you are effectively off the clock so my question is if this is legal?

I should also mention that I work as a contractor, rather than a typical full time employee in case that changes anything.

Comments

  1. Hmmgotmilk Avatar

    Employee-fuuuuuuck no, that ain’t legal.

    Contractor-check the language of the contract. More than likely, not required to attend

    NAL, did not stay at a holiday inn last night

  2. Delta9THICC Avatar

    No, that’s super messed up. I’d honestly bill them if they tried to force it.

  3. Grimlocklou Avatar

    “Can my employer make me attend a meeting, lecture, or training without paying me?

    A meeting or training directly related to a particular business must be paid. Training that results in a portable certificate or license does not have to be compensated if it is outside of regular working hours and attendance is voluntary. “

    https://dial.iowa.gov/i-need/claims/how-do-i-wage-claim/wage-claims-faq

  4. KingTrencher Avatar

    Hard no.

    Let your manager know that you will be leaving an hour early that day

    Be sure to let other employees know that this is not legal.