Is it legal for an employer to work an employee 36 - 42 hours a week without paid vacation or health benefits?

I started at my corporate job as a part-time employee. But they have laid of several people over the course of the last 2.5 years, and now I am working basically full-time. I've worked 36-40 hours a week for well over two years now, but have not been given vacation time, any raises or health benefits. Is this legal?|||Is it legal for an employer to work an employee 36 - 42 hours a week without paid vacation or health benefits?


YES legally all the employer is required to pay is at least the applicable minimum wage and overtime, nothing more is required by law.............





having an open, honest conversation with your employer about your concerns is the only way to address these issues and get answers to your questions.


communication is a great tool...........when used!|||It is if that's how they treat ALL of their workers.





If they have you classified as part time and only give benefits (vacation, health) to full time workers, you need to take this up with them.





Raises are not required by law unless the minimum wage went up.|||depends which country are you working in. you don't say|||there is no law in teh USA requiring companies to give workers any kind of "fringe benefits" - that's why they are "fringe benefits" and as long as they pay "prevailing rates", they are under no requirement to give raises - if you decide to stay with a company like that, then it's your own fault - Not many companies with at least 50 employees are that stingy|||Your status is as a part time employee even though you are working full time hours.





If I were you I would go into HR and ask whether or not you could be considered as a full-time employee. Remind them that you have been working for them for over the past two years working full time hours without the benefits.





They may not be able to provide what you are looking for - they have laid off several people in the last 2.5 years is an indication that the business is suffering on one level or another.





You would be considered as a cheaper alternative and may be the very reason you have not been laid off.





Going in and asking should not be a problem. In the meantime, start prospecting for a new place to work. Check out what others are paying, see whether there are any benefits.





I think with employment as it is this day and age (currently) you might be at a disadvantage as are many workers needing their jobs and fewer and fewer jobs are available what with all of the lay offs nationwide.





It doesn't hurt to ask them whether or not they would consider you as a full time employee with benefits? You have been there long enough to do this.