Mandatory meeting Texas

[WorkersDad]

Hi.

Been browsing your website and think its a great source of information. Thanks for taking the time to post answers here. Now my question.

My son works part time for a fast food resturant here in Texas. They told him he has to attend a mandatory hygene class at a clinic near his work on his day off. He was told to bring $10.00 for the class and that he would not be compensated for time at the class. Is this legal? I know Texas has some interesting work rules but I thought all employer mandated training was to be paid. He is an hourly worker making min wage, and has been working there for the past 5 months.

[cbg]

Who is mandating the class? The employer, or the state?

[WorkersDad]

He was told by his supervisor that all employees must attend. That all fast food resturants are requiring this whether or not it is State mandated I don't know at this time. If it is then paying the $10.00 "cover" charge and no compensation is legal? Again he is a min wage worker receiving no tips.

[cbg]

It makes a difference whether it is state mandated or not. You'll need to find that out before we can answer your question.

[DAW]

Agreed. Basically if the employer is mandating, then the time almost certainly must be paid. However if the state is mandating, then the time almost certainly does not have to be paid.

[WorkersDad]

His supervisor says that it is a Texas State mandatory meeting.

[cbg]

If it is state mandated, the time almost certainly does not have to be paid.

[WorkersDad]

So just to be clear that includes the $10.00 fee?

[cbg]

The $10 does not change the answer in any way.

[WorkersDad]

Thank you very much for the information. You ppl are a great help

[Texas709]

Let me ring in...

While I agree completely with the answers given based on the information at hand, I am not aware of any Texas mandated training for food handlers at fast food restaurants. Most, if not all, cities or counties require food handler certification, but that's not the same thing. (It is my business to know many things about fast food workers.)

Dad, if this is a hill on which your son is willing to die, you may want to suggest that he get a little more information on whether this "class" is required to be licensed or certified for his job, or if it is the employer wanting all employees to meet a standard of training.

By the way, the applicable law here is not Texas law, but is based on the FLSA requirements that work time for training be compensated unless it meets 4 criteria.