I understand that the government has little control over benefits, however I'm curious about a situation I've found myself in. I work in a salaried retail management position. Due to the nature of my job, over the holiday season (Nov. 18 - Dec. 29) I was required by my company to extend my regular 5 day, 40 hour work week into a 6 day, 54 hour work week. Also, the 10 days before Christmas were required 9 hour days as well (this went from Thursday Dec 14 - Monday Dec. 24, so it included a 7 day, Sun-Sat week with 0 days off).

I've worked in retail for several years, so I understand that some companies require a 6 day work week over the holidays, and that most offer some sort of comp days after the new year to make up for it. My problem lies with a memo that I received on Dec. 28, stating that all salaried management was required to clock in 8 hours PTO on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, regardless of however many days were worked that week, even though my business was closed that day, and even if I wanted to work, I couldn't have.

Now, I've always understood taking a paid holiday to mean that you are using your PTO to take an extra day off, in addition to your 2 regular days off. I have a problem with essentially "paying" for the privilidge of taking one day off, especially when the business is closed. Furthermore, in the company's PTO policy, it states that "The combination of PTO and time worked cannot exceed 40 hours in a week." Well, if I'm working 54 hours, why do I need to take PTO, I've already given the company well above the 40 hours they're paying me for.

So, bottom line question is - is this legal? Can a company require you to "pay" for a day off when you've completed your work requirements?

Duplicate post.