Full question:
Our principal is trying to make teachers keep students in the classroom after school ends for a total of more than 6 hours a day direct instruction with students. Last period lasts from 2:35-4:15, students still attached to teacher when school should be declared over. Working hours have recently been changed in an attempt to force teachers to hold students until their buses arrive. School is dismissed at 3:30 for students. Is this legal? I thought afternoon bus duty was the duty of the administrative staff.
- Category: Employment
- Subcategory: Hours
- Date:
- State: Texas
Answer:
The answer will depend on whether you have an employment contract or collective bargaining agreement through a union. Otherwise, an employer is free to change the schedule, as long as it's not done for a discriminatory purpose on the basis of sex, religion, age, handicap, nationality, or race. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has no provisions regarding the scheduling of employees, with the exception of certain child labor provisions. Therefore, an employer may change an employee's work hours without giving prior notice or obtaining the employee's consent (unless otherwise subject to a prior agreement between the employer and employee or the employee's representative).
I suggest you contact your representative at the local teacher's union.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.
