labor law, Texas State employee

[msexton64]

I'm an employee of the state of Texas. The agency TDCJ-CID. My problem is I want to go into work, on my own personal time to read and study the rules and regulations of the agency which I work. The agency says they can not let me come in early because they got sued for back time from an another employee claiming that he did work off the books and requested compensation. The agency is saying that I can not come in on my own time and read the rules and regulations of the agency, which is actually required for the employees to be aware of. Can I read or work on my own volunteer time for Texas state agency?

 

[army judge]

I'm an employee of the state of Texas. The agency TDCJ-CID. My problem is I want to go into work, on my own personal time to read and study the rules and regulations of the agency which I work. The agency says they can not let me come in early because they got sued for back time from an another employee claiming that he did work off the books and requested compensation. The agency is saying that I can not come in on my own time and read the rules and regulations of the agency, which is actually required for the employees to be aware of. Can I read or work on my own volunteer time for Texas state agency?

There is no way anyone but your employer who can authorize you to enter the workplace.
You are free request the agency allow you to obtain a copy of the rules and regulations to take home so that you can study them at your leisure.
You might ask the agency officials if you could have access to the documents via the internet from your home so that you can study various topics.
Bottom line, you do as you are told, or they will do away with your employment.

One last thought, you might see if you can access the documents at a nearby university, law school, public, or county law library.
Good luck.

 

[cbg]

If you are looking for a law that will give you permission to come into work and learn the regulations without being paid for it, there isn't one. Your employer is on firmer ground, legally, than you are.

But even taking the law out of it, if the employer says no, then it's no. It really is that simple.

 

[Betty3]

If your employer says you are not to come in early/on your own time, then you don't. Your employer makes the rules.

 

[txls]

and they don't have to give you a reason. No means no, period.

 

[disagreeable]

Federal Law requires an employer to pay for all hours put in at the work location, authorized or not.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs53.htm