I work for a large healthcare company in Ohio. I have worked there for almost six years and have worked mandatory overtime for this entire time, every week. Are there any laws regarding this issue? They also always threaten disciplinary action if this overtime is not worked. Is this legal?

Are there any laws regarding this issue?

In Maine and California. There may be job specific restrictions in other states, plus a few limited occupations protected by the Feds, but I could not address those.

They also always threaten disciplinary action if this overtime is not worked. Is this legal?

Absolutely legal if the state does not restrict how many hours you can be forced to work.

I can understand requiring folks to work overtime, but, in fifteen years, have only once had to order somone to do it or be fired. Hospitals scream that they are short of nurses, then demand crazy hours and make overtime mandatory. Then they wonder why they cannot attract people to work for them.

Of course, the overtime costs drive up the costs to the hospitals and they pass those costs to the insurance carriers, who jack THEIR rates to the consumer...

Okay, I feel better now and am off my soap box.