Ohio boss requires workers to arrive 15 minutes early for unpaid morning meeting, calls it “voluntary” before threatening their jobs: ‘You won't work’

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Aug 28, 2026 1:45 PM EDT

If the meeting was truly voluntary, why does skipping it suddenly put your job at risk?

I'm sure that's the same question the OP is asking themselves. Before talking about the manager, I think it's interesting the time that the meeting lasts. Because it's only 10/15 minutes, people would think that they don't mind arriving early so they can discuss before the shifts start, and things like that. Sounds normal, and it shouldn't be that big of a problem.

The problem arises when the meeting happens to be every day, and the fact that the employees cannot clock in after it's over… meaning those extra minutes they are there are unpaid.

And now, the manager… what is it with some bosses that they don't know how to boss? According to the way the story is described, this person is not only very disrespectful, but also has a bad way of encouraging participation in this meeting. On one side, he's saying it's voluntary, and that the people who don't feel like coming could avoid it. But that's not before clarifying that working is also a "voluntary thing" (sort of?), and that the ones who are not in the meeting aren't working that day.

I really don't know how someone can be so mean and so disrespectful. At the end of the day, they are employees working there, and there's really no reason not to treat the employees fairly and with respect. If this meeting is important to them, then he should find a way to make this a fun thing, especially if you're not letting them clock in beforehand, so they can feel encouraged to assist. At least, that's the way I'm thinking.

I do think that some people shouldn't be allowed to become bosses or managers, since they clearly lack the skills needed to be a team leader. Talking badly to people and forcing them to attend meetings is not okay, especially if you're the one also threatening to fire them for a single 10-minute morning meeting.

Advertisement
  • Manager confronting an employee during a dispute over a mandatory meeting during unpaid time.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    Manager confronting an employee during a dispute over a mandatory meeting during unpaid time.

    Recreated scenario included to enhance reader understanding.  

  • My employer makes us come in 15 minutes before our shift. They say we're not allowed to clock in until 5 minutes before otherwise they'll manually adjust our time cards to 5 minutes before our start time.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • So 10 minutes of that is unpaid. All the employees have to sit in the break room and listen to their morning meeting/announcements. All while off the clock. This is still considered working. Am I wrong?
    via MasterSquirter17
  • Do yall think this is a labor law violation? (Ohio)
    via MasterSquirter17
  • An employee that came in late to the meeting then told them that it's illegal to not pay us for these 10 minutes so he can show up anytime before the start time. And he was told to be quiet and he'll get talked to after the meeting.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • **Update** I came in 5 minutes late to the meeting. He yelled at me and I told him it's a labor violation. He said no it's not and it's a voluntary meeting. I said since it's voluntary then we don't have to show up. He then said No it's
    via MasterSquirter17
  • voluntary to show up to the meeting and it's voluntary to show up to work. You don't volunteer for the meeting you won't work. If you have a problem with it then you don't have to show up
    via MasterSquirter17
  • tomorrow, then he back tracks and says matter of fact you can leave now if you don't like it.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • I have kids so I need to stay here till I get another job. But I'm definitely reporting them to the labor department.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • **2nd update ** Multiple people have complained about him and they are now changing their policies. one of the policies being changed are regarding the meeting issues. we will know more in about a week and a half to two weeks.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • Exhausted office worker covering his face while working late.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    Exhausted office worker covering his face while working late.

    Model representation. 

  • In the comment section, readers from r/WhatShouldIDo are encouraging them to get all this written down because they could potentially sue them. We hope they can get the justice they deserve from this situation.

  • MangledBarkeep take it to the labor board with all employees that are willing. the company will be forced to pay and more than likely stop that ridiculous policy.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • No-Molasses-8263 Yes it is a violation. Call labor board.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • blacfd That is wage theft
    via MasterSquirter17
  • Spookendocker1 Years ago I worked for a place that only paid you until a certain time, when you were required to fill out paperwork for your shift. So we were not paid for filling out the required paperwork. Did this for years, then someone reported them to "Wage and Hour" and we all got all that retroactive backpay for all those hours we weren't paid for doing that required paperwork.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • IOnly ReadTitles26 If they tell you to be there at ##:## then you are paid at that time. Not paying your for mandatory time is illegal. Sounds like no one is saying no. That's why it is happening. The one person who said no. What did they say to him after the meeting?
    via MasterSquirter17
  • Geronimo732 Definitely illegal in Ohio under FLSA and Ohio labor laws if you are an hourly employee.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • RandomGerman49 My employer asked us to come in 10 min early for a video one time. I was one of the few that mentioned to others I would be in at 7 because I'm not working unpaid. I noticed on my next check I was paid an extra 10 min. So were all the others that spoke up. I'm not saying they will take it as well if you try to bring it up but they are definitely stealing from all of you.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • NoRoof 1812 Document everything. Report them to the state department of labor. Good luck.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • Frustrated employee working on a laptop at this desk after being required to attend an unpaid pre-shift meeting.
    via Unsplash+ (via Vitaly Gariev)

    Frustrated employee working on a laptop at this desk after being required to attend an unpaid pre-shift meeting.

    Actor performance of story events.

  • jbenze That guy who came in "late" was right, it's definitely a labor violation.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • Unique-Luck-3564 That is a class action lawsuit waiting to happen. 10 minutes of pay per employee every day going back years and possibly punitive damages.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • RepresentativeCap90 If it's a union shop complain to the union. It sounds like it's not a union shop. You can complain to the labor board but if your employer finds out it's you, they may fire you for some made up reason.
    via MasterSquirter17
  • Jbaghdadi01 Nope! Make them give it to you in writing, then make them fire you and take it to court for unlawful termination. They likely won't put it in writing because it is illegal. Show up to work, clock in get paid. Otherwise you sue them.
    via MasterSquirter17

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

manager morning meeting employees clocking in
Scroll Down For The Next Article