So, my understanding of mandatory is that you are required to be there, correct? Especially in the case of work. And when it's mandatory, that means they're required to pay you correct?

Something like that, sure.

Depends on whos the boss...and what the situation is.

Lol..but in most cases, yes you should get paid. At least thats what I'm lead to believe.

Okay, that's what I thought.

Damn job has a "mandatory pool party on Friday, which is my day off, and for which I've already made other plans, and I find out tonight that they aren't going to pay us to be there.

Now see...thats what I meant when I said it depends on the situation.

Lol...are you not a fan of pool parties?

Well Just as long as their not passing out raises at the party.

Meh, I am extremely unhappy with this job as a whole, to the point of documenting what's going on in case they ever try to fire me over an perceived issues, especially by those who don't do their own jobs. I work 11PM-7AM, and don't want to drag my butt out of bed at 12:30 to come back into work.

As far as the pool goes, while I love and adore swimming, it's not the pool I would spend time in. Way to many problems.

Oh do I know that feeling. Thats why I'm self employed.

Oh well then...take a hidden camera and catch all your co-workers acting a fool. Then use it as blackmail.

And make sure you smuggle in some rufenal and put in the punch...

But remember not to drink the punch yourself.

just don't go, and don't worry about it...but if they are making it mandatory, and not paying you perhaps they have something for all staff to make it worth their while going

Oh, I'm not going. I emailed her tonight saying I had other plans that were set up two weeks ago, and things to do, include sleep.

If they aren't paying you then you can't be fired because you're not actually on the clock. They just BS you with the mandatory thing to try & get as many there as they can. It's all politics in the workplace I tell ya!!!

Barbeque and a pool party is not worthwhile. I think I'll survive...

Yeppers!

in Texas, if it work is making something mandatory, then they have to pay you. I went through this with a dance studio. They had a mandatory meeting and didn't want it on the clock. My husband (at the time) and I took it to Texas Workforce Commission and they froze the studios accounts until we were paid for it.

Especially corporations like to "own" their workers. I told one boss several years ago that the place where I worked wasn't my life & he had the balls to tell me it should be!! Yeah, right for $7 bucks an hour!! Told him I was sorry to disillusion him but I did have a life outside the workplace. Funny thing I think the boss sort of liked my honesty because I'd cuss him the same as anyone else!! He knew I wouldn't take his BS!!! I eventually quit that job & they even called me up asking me to come back that they hadn't even done the paperwork that I'd quit & that they'd put personal leave down for my days absent if I'd just come back!! Nada!!! Wasn't going to happen!!

I believe that's the case here. I always pay my employees for meetings.
Hell, half the time when they come by to hang out, they start doing work on their own and I have to tell 'em to either sit down or clock in.

exactly. I have worked through lunch off the clock before and was told I couldn't because by law they would have to pay me even if I "volunteer"