If you are a restaurant worker or bartender, it's important for you to know the difference between your regular job duties and "extra work."
Extra work is a staffing solution designed to help restaurants manage peak periods and staffing shortages. However, when restaurant workers are asked to take on extra tasks, it can lead to a range of challenges that impact not only their well-being, but their legal rights, as well.
Extra work often comes with an expectation of extra compensation. Employees need to know if additional tasks will be paid or if they are expected to perform them as part of their regular duties. Transparency regarding compensation not only fosters trust but also ensures that workers feel valued and fairly treated. But, most important, it ensures that restaurants are paying their employees properly.
Labor laws require employers to pay workers for all hours worked. If an employee is asked to perform tasks outside of their regular duties and those tasks increase their total hours worked (or even if they don't, sometimes), they should generally be compensated for that time.
While asking a restaurant worker to do extra work without additional pay may not always be illegal, it can raise ethical concerns and potentially violate labor laws depending on the circumstances. Workers should know their rights and advocate for fair treatment in the workplace.