A day of rest. The very notion can seem quaint and antiquated. As we have become a primarily 7-day-a-week working culture, most American employees just laugh at the notion of a guaranteed day off every week.
However, the courts are confirming this mandatory day of rest of employees. It is important to understand what this means for you and your workplace rights and obligations.
California Supreme Court Ruling
According to an article in the San Francisco Business Times online, the California Supreme Court ruled that employees have the right to one day of rest in every work-week, and that employers are prohibited from making employees work more than six days in any seven.
This can be a significant victory for employees who seek to establish a reasonable work-life balance. On the other hand, some workers don’t give the same value to a day of rest, so questions remain as to whether they have to take that day off.
Although this decision can be valuable to some, it does not provide complete clarity or end the potential for disagreement and litigation. This is not an uncommon outcome of a major court decision.
According to the article, questions remain regarding what constitutes “causing” employees to work without coercion. In situations where working that extra seventh day could lead to promotion or general visibility to employers, it is up to the employees to make sound decisions. These issues are likely to comprise the next wave of employment litigation in this arena.
Like any employment law issue, it is important to work with an attorney who understands this area of law and can help protect your rights in the workplace.
