So, after Sandy skirted our area, the county I work in held a meeting to go over what needs to be improved, what worked, etc...
Out of this meeting came this gem of an idea, and I really want to know if this is even legal to do to your employees. ALL EMPLOYEES will be on call during future emergency events and may be called in to fill whatever role is deemed necessary, and if they do not, they'll be written up for insubordination. Now, mind you, most of the employees don't work in the emergency-related departments and upon hire for their respective current jobs, no where did it state we must comply with something like this during an emergency event such as a hurricane. How can something like this be covered under the usual "And other duties as assigned" when it can be hazardous?? Whenever bad weather's heading my way, I get ready, I'm at home safe with my kids, and work is the last thing on my mind.
I know certain key depts know this type of "on-call-for emergencies" goes with the job they agreed to do, just as I know with my own job, I may be called in if a server crashes or we have a database go south, but that's very different from being told you must show up and do whatever-they-deem-is-needed during an emergency event. All I can think of are all of the potential lawsuits if an employee is hurt en route, or what if we're told we have to man a call center, we give out incorrect info and someone dies?? What about those that have loved ones to care for and they can't do this? They'll be written up?? I am floored that after working for this county for 15 years, out of the clear blue sky I'm being told I will now "volunteer during an emergency". I did not sign up for this type of a role, and neither did most of the staff I know...
"Other duties as assigned" usually falls under what is expected in your regular work week; didn't realize they could force you to volunteer and call it that, but perhaps I'm wrong...
Thoughts??
Out of this meeting came this gem of an idea, and I really want to know if this is even legal to do to your employees. ALL EMPLOYEES will be on call during future emergency events and may be called in to fill whatever role is deemed necessary, and if they do not, they'll be written up for insubordination. Now, mind you, most of the employees don't work in the emergency-related departments and upon hire for their respective current jobs, no where did it state we must comply with something like this during an emergency event such as a hurricane. How can something like this be covered under the usual "And other duties as assigned" when it can be hazardous?? Whenever bad weather's heading my way, I get ready, I'm at home safe with my kids, and work is the last thing on my mind.
I know certain key depts know this type of "on-call-for emergencies" goes with the job they agreed to do, just as I know with my own job, I may be called in if a server crashes or we have a database go south, but that's very different from being told you must show up and do whatever-they-deem-is-needed during an emergency event. All I can think of are all of the potential lawsuits if an employee is hurt en route, or what if we're told we have to man a call center, we give out incorrect info and someone dies?? What about those that have loved ones to care for and they can't do this? They'll be written up?? I am floored that after working for this county for 15 years, out of the clear blue sky I'm being told I will now "volunteer during an emergency". I did not sign up for this type of a role, and neither did most of the staff I know...
"Other duties as assigned" usually falls under what is expected in your regular work week; didn't realize they could force you to volunteer and call it that, but perhaps I'm wrong...
Thoughts??
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