Hello,

A friend of mine is currently working for a food service outlet at a casino in Reno Nevada. Although the majority of the staff doesn't work a full 40 hour week a new policy has been instituted which requires servers to complete their duties within 30 minutes after closing their last check. The work load entailed makes this requirement virtually impossible and it is this employee's belief that she and others are being " set up" for termination under these guidelines. What are her rights in this instance? The company in question is preparing to close the restaurant my friend works at although this information has not been made public. She is concerned that she is being targeted due to her age (60) and, there have been actions toward others in the past with this corporation which would support this concern. How should she best defend herself and her job against being forced into early retirement?

It is not illegal for an employer to institute onerous work policies.

She is concerned that she is being targeted due to her age (60) and, there have been actions toward others in the past with this corporation which would support this concern. If all servers are being required to comply with the 30-minute rule, how is your friend being targeted? She is not being singled out for more restrictive rules.

Since the restaurant is closing, it appears to me the employer is simply trying to limit their payroll expenses by implementing the new 30-minute requirement.