Is this legal?...somehow it just doesn't seem right...?

Jim T

Unfortunately none of what the employer did is illegal. Because he controls the everyday operation of the establishment he is authorized to see to his business as he sees fit. At one point I encountered a similar situation while working at a pizza restaurant, and although I was angry that management had taken so many luxuries away from the workers there was nothing we could do about it. As a rule of thumb unless he makes the job overly dangerous, abuses labor laws, or harasses the employee, it is not illegal. There are no laws against being a mean boss. Unless this job is union, which I doubt it is, the employee is essentially powerless, unless he or she attempts to go above that persons head. The only solutions in this case are to either tough it out or quit.

Gumby

All of that is completely legal.

As a Security Management student, I study not only physical security issues, but also issues concerning employer and employee rights. There is no wrong-doing, legal or ethically, here.

Soramdara

None of what you've mentioned sounds illegal to me. Even the cameras (since you are aware they are there). Sorry. Don't get me wrong - this guy sounds like a real piece of work though he must have some reason for doing it. My advice is to get out of there as fast as possible, surely there is another fast food place you could work at nearby.

teran_realtor

It is legal. (there, it's in writing)

The way to get your "revenge" is this:

Be a GREAT employee - then quit and work for the competition. Be even better for them and then buy a franchise yourself and run the other business out of town.

Judy

None of what you mention is illegal.

tiffany

You have a legitimate complaint about your break time. According to the Employment Standards Act (Ontario), an employee must not work more than 5 consecutive hours without a minimum 30-minute break "away from work."

Although the time periods may be different in other states and provinces, your employer must give you free time to do whatever you choose, and if he has not provided you with a break room where you can sit down and eat away from the customers and work, you can leave the premises. You should not be eating your meals in the dining area.

Beyond that, an employer can make any decision he likes about the number of employees he hires for each shift, and the installation of cameras is perfectly legal.

You can contact your local Ministry of Labour for more information.

Good luck

hilaly o afti5ir

hmm? i dont think that putting cameras all over the place is not legal?
but the eating in the dining room when its busy is a problem.

Mr. Goodkat

It is all legal. Sounds like a smart businessman actually. Chances are he is not sitting at home watching his workers (some people thing managers have no other life outside of work, sheesh), but he probably reviews tapes, and you know, the cameras were probably installed for security and liability reasons, not to snoop on employees. If I wanted to snoop on employees I would install hidden and pinhole cameras so they would not know they are there.

It is more cost effective to go to 2 closers a night rather than 4.

Just because you are young I know you think every action ever taken is something against you, but that it not always the case.

sdn90036

In the USA all of his actions are legal. The USA is very pro-business.

There's nothing you can do about it, except vote with your feet.

Quit and tell him why you are quitting. You need to be treated with respect.

Good question.

Patrick

do the shuffle dance in front of the camera!

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