Since April we have had forced overtime, and starting sometime last fall we've been alternating 6 and 7 day work weeks (meaning we work 13 days and get one off). They've said they can work us 21 days in a row with only a single day off, but I've heard elsewhere they can only work us for 12 and then they have to give us two days off. I was wondering which was true...and if having government contracts would have any bearing on this.

In North Carolina, as in most states, for general private employment you can be required to work 365 a year and as long as you receive the appropriate overtime, it is legal. A VERY few states have a one-day-rest-in-seven rule but North Carolina is not one of them. Only two states limit the amount of overtime you can be required to work but neither of them is North Carolina. No state requires two successive days off, or even two days off in a week/pay period.

There are a very few industry-specific exceptions where there is a public safety factor (airline pilot, truck driver). I honestly don't know if there is an exception for government contractors; Scott? Mlane? Jake?

Ahh, thank you...I suppose that the company, itself, made it's own rule not to work people more than 21 days in a row...It's a pretty decent company to work for, and they're fairly generous, but everyone in my department is starting to crack on some level, and some people are trying to balance it with schooling. Just working 6 day weeks would be a huge relief.

Oh, and I wasn't asking about government contractors, but about companies with government contracts. Our company works with fiberglass and Kevlar and some of goes to the military and such. And I know someone who does security at a Duke Power Plant, and somehow or another it's government related, and after seven consecutive days of work they have to allow 24 hours off.