Is there a law against not letting an employee sit down?

We have a new rule @ work that does not let front desk employees sit at all during their shifts which may be 8 - 12 hours long a day. The Dr's are allowed to sit and the employees that work with the Dr's can sit (When they have a chance) our cooperate office says we look rude and sound tired when we answer the phones when we are sitting. I think this is nuts..I have worked in the medical field over 12 years and I have never been denied sitting rights especially since we only get a 30 min lunch if that! Just curious what others think..
Additional Details
I am in the South Florida Area..

Iris

It is not illegal to demand employees stand throughout their workday; however, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), might come into play. If your doctor is convinced you are unable to stand the entire time, you may well be in a position to get relief.

My personal opinion is that this is very poor people management and will encourage continuous turnover.

michr

actually in some states there are laws in regard to sitting and there being chairs available for employees who normally work on their feet.

without knowing where you are this question can not be answered accurately.

EDIT:
Sorry,
Florida does not mandate you be allowed to sit,
Florida law also does not mandate ANY breaks.

I would agree this is counter-productive.

other_guy

There should be one! Consider getting a new job!

Doug J

That's B.S. Making you stand for a full shift is silly and counter-productive. It makes you want to sympathise with unions. Call the state OSHA office.

Judy

There's no law against them making that rule. But I agree with you - I think it's nuts too.

Books

I doubt there's a law against it. The best choice for you is to look for another job. If they can't keep people due to this rule, they'll change it soon enough. You could always go to another doctor and get a medical need certificate that says standing for long periods of time is bad for your health. They have to make "reasonable" allowances for physical limitations. What would they do if someone confined to a wheel chair who was very well qualified applied for the job?

edju

It almost seems a form of punishment to,...make a person for example a check out employee to stand while scanning a customers items. I have seen stools that allow a person to be in a half sitting position yet,... giving the appearance of standing. It's time for Employers to look at this as a form of preventive maintenance for there Employees.

wendy

I currently am working for a doctor... who has stuck me in a sterilization tech position even though I am way more qualified.... I was transfered from another office...temporarily and this is all they had available... and I am expected to stand for the whole eight hours while everyone else works comfortably from their chairs... It is absolutely rediculous. We will see where I go with this. I am trying to focus on the fact that it is temporary and atleast I have a job.... But I did find myself something to sit on occassionally.... and I intend to use it.

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