When a worker legitimately refuses to work, the employer is not obligated to pay them for the lost time. True or False?

Understand the Problem

The question is asking whether it is true or false that an employer is not required to pay a worker for time lost when the worker legitimately refuses to work.

More Information

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers are only required to pay workers for hours they actually work. Workers who refuse to work, even if for legitimate reasons like safety concerns, may not be entitled to payment for the time not worked.

Tips

A common mistake is assuming that refusal to work under dangerous conditions automatically entitles the worker to pay; however, pay obligations generally apply only to hours actually worked.

Sources

• Workers' Right to Refuse Dangerous Work - OSHA - osha.gov
• FLSA during the Pandemic - DOL - dol.gov