I think I have a mess

[fingers7@ptd.net]

My employment is in Pennsylvania. I have been on the job for seven days, and it doesn't look good. I have replaced two people. There is no job description but my duties are as a receptionist who schedules appointments, does computer billing and medical transcription. My compensation is hourly. I am told that I do not get paid overtime and that I get comp time but I am not allowed to take time off. There are no sick days; there is no lunch time. Also I will be required to travel to various parts of the State, at my own expense, to assist my boss (a plastic surgen) when he gives seminars.

[Pattymd]

You definitely sound like a nonexempt employee, which means you must be paid time-and-a-half for all hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek. Compensatory time is not allowed by law for employees of private (vs. public, i.e. governmental) employers.

State law does not require rest or meal breaks for those employees 18 years of age or older. Nor does any state or federal law require the employer to offer you sick or vacation benefits.

http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=142&Q=61106&landiPNavCtr=|#3

If you travel on business, and the employer does not reimburse you for business-related expenses, you can claim them as an itemized deduction on your 1040, if you and the expenses qualify. There is no law in your state requiring reimbursement of business expenses incurred by employees.

What do they tell you about how you will be paid when you do these seminars and the related travel?

Sounds like it's time to put the resume back out there.