can my employer fire me for not showing up 15 min.ahead of time clocked in if not...

[Curious G.]

...being paid for it? I work for a valet co. at the airport.They want employees to be at office base 15 min. ahead of time before starting pay time without being paid for it.They say because they do not want to pay for transportation time for us to get to and from the podiums in the garages due to overtime pay.Company also says they can fire us if we are late.That doesn't seem right or fair.Is that correct or do they have to pay us for any time that we work for the company and have to be on the clock for us to be repromanded?

[Howard]

Prob not .But if you sighed something saying you would then yes.

[John McMurtry]

Legally they cannot. You should treat them in the same way they treat you. They should pay for 15 mins by 15 min productivity, breaks and damages. Make sure you just damage their reputation with customers. You don't get paid in money, but you will be extreamly happy in you job thinking up new way to do them over.

[stanlin]

I'd place a call to the labor board and ask. I don't think they have a case, if you were in an accident on company property getting to and from they would be liable. Are you getting to and from in a company vehicle. If so, once your on the job you should be getting paid. Check the labor laws, if they insist you be there 15 minutes ahead, they have to pay you for the time they have you scheduled.

[David L]

This really depends on the state you live in.

If you live in an employment at will state and you do not abide by the above rules then you can simple be fired for "any" reason really with no questions asked. For example, in California unless you have an actual written contract (most people don't unless you are a CEO or some such) your employment is at will in either direction meaning they can fire you instantly for any reason or no reason at all. You are also free to quit at any time with no reason or notice given. (Although 2 weeks notice is standard protocol.)

However, if the state you live in is not an employment at will then this would be a whole different matter and you want to check with your state in regards to what the specific laws are.

For example, in Washington state it is not that easy to get fired. In that state the employer is obligated to document a number of transgressions before they can legally fire you.