PA Prohibits Mandatory Overtime for Some Health Care Workers

On October 9, 2008, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell signed H. 834 into law. This legislation prohibits mandatory overtime for health care workers except in certain circumstances. The law, commonly known as the "mandatory overtime" law, establishes the "Prohibition of Excessive Overtime in Health Care Act" and says that, except in certain circumstances, a health care facility cannot require an employee to work in excess of an agreed to, predetermined and regularly scheduled shift. Overtime can be mandated when an unforeseeable emergent circumstance occurs and the assignment of additional hours is a last resort; the employer has exhausted reasonable efforts to obtain other staffing; and the employer gives the employee an hour to arrange for child or elder care or care of a disabled family member. This law will take effect July 1, 2009 ( H.B 834, Laws 2008, approved October 9, 2008, effective July 1, 2009.)

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PA Prohibits Mandatory Overtime for Some Health Care Workers On October 9, 2008, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell signed H. 834 into law. This legislation prohibits mandatory overtime for health care workers except in certain circumstances. The law, commonly known