Promised Scheduled Hours Utah

[r3s3ct1]

I've been working at a job for the past 5 months. The job promised work from 3pm to 10pm however, they have only been giving us 4 hours of work each night, making us leave early. Most of the employees don't have a problem with that, but I have a house to run and I'm expecting. Because they originally promised the hours between 3-10pm, are they required, by law, to pay us for these hours? When originally hired, you are guarnteed those hours. Why are they punishing the workers because they refuse to get the clientel?

1-The job is conducting surveys over the phone. The clients are not hard to get or keep happy, so why are they forcing us to leave so early?

2-We don't get Medicare, even though its taken from our checks, but isn't Federal Unemployment also suppost to be taken? And is Medicare, by law, suppost to be taken from our paychecks?

Any help would be much appreciated!

[Beth3]

Because they originally promised the hours between 3-10pm, are they required, by law, to pay us for these hours? No. They only have to pay you for the hours you actually work.

The job is conducting surveys over the phone. The clients are not hard to get or keep happy, so why are they forcing us to leave so early? Ya got me.

We don't get Medicare, even though its taken from our checks Huh? Federal law requires that a deduction be made for Social Security and Medicare, which are FUTURE benefits provided by the federal government upon reaching age 65.

but isn't Federal Unemployment also suppost to be taken? No. First, unemployment is a State benefit, not federal. Second, unemployment benefits are funded by a payroll tax that employers pay to the State. Employees do not contribute to the cost of unemployment.

And is Medicare, by law, suppost to be taken from our paychecks? Yes.

[r3s3ct1]

I would like to know where I can find those laws!? I'm not calling you a lyer or anything, please don't think I am, I would like to know where I can find those laws for future reference and other peoples reference who may be reading this.

[Pattymd]

1. I'm not sure you're going to have a law that specifically states that nonexempt employees need only be paid for hours worked. That is inherent in being a "nonexempt" employee. Which means that, unless there is a bona fide, enforceable contract (not a schedule or an offer letter or similar) that guarantees you a certain number of hours, if you don't work, you don't have to be paid.

2. Regarding FUTA, see the IRS publication below, Chapter 14, first paragraph, next to last sentence.

3. Regarding Medicare taxes, see page 16 of the same publication. Are you sure they aren't "lumping together" Social Security and Medicare taxes? Take your gross wages less any pre-tax deductions for health care coverage and multiply by 6.2%; if that's what is being withheld, they aren't deducting properly. If you multiply by 7.65% and that is what is being withheld, then they ARE deducting properly; and hopefully they realize that the two amounts must be separated on your W-2 forms.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf