Can My Boss Write Me Up For Missing Work For Mandatory Training?

Question

So I work as a DSP (direct support profession) which works with taking care of handicap people for a living in a facility in California. My job has me doing mandatory training(online dsp classes) that are needed to keep my job and they have to be completed within a year of hire. I let my boss know that I wasn’t able to come in on 4 certain days because of this training, which mind you is 8hours long. She said I’ll be written up for missing each day of work but isn’t it technically working because I’m doing mandatory training??? This is training I HAVE to do. It’s not an option, I need it for the job. How am I getting written up if I’m technically working?? She’s also making me do an 8hour shift (so that I basically don’t get fired for so many write ups for missing “actual” work for training). I have to work 9pm to 5am and then do my classes the next day which are 8am to 4pm. Is this right?? Can she write me up for missing days AND make me work???

Update:

so update because i dont think i was specific enough. When I said that I let my boss know that I needed these specific days off, it was about two weeks in advance. I dont choose the hours of training and my schedule goes a month out and not two/three weeks like a "regular" job. My boss was given a two week notice that I would be gone on these days. She had 13/14 days to find someone to cover me and didn't. She said that those days are still considered me "calling off" and I'll be written up

Anonymous · Answer

Yes they can if you are already in the red with your attendance and you decide to take training on company time.

zipper · Answer

Yes if he wants to keep you any way, but he also can tell you to take a hick and don't look back, your not wanted any more!  By not taking that training it is a very stupid move on your part, and shows that you really should not be aloud to have a job!

SAIDUL · Answer

Legitimately, time spent in compulsory (with obligatory being significant) preparing is working, and you should be paid for that time. Be set up to document a protest with your state Wage and Hour Commission on the off chance that they won't pay you. That being stated, you might have maintained a strategic distance from this issue by taking the preparation prior. Ledge, if the organization strategy doesn't determine while during the year the preparation should be taken, you are actually inside the organization rules.

garry · Answer

yes why , you have to do the training to stay qualified , or you think you dont have too !!!

John · Answer

Legally, time spent in mandatory (with mandatory being very important) training is working, and you must be paid for that time.  Be prepared to file a complaint with your state Wage and Hour Commission if they will not pay you.  That being said, you could have avoided this problem by taking the training earlier.  Sill, if the company policy does not specify when during the year the training must be taken, you are technically within the company rules.

a · Answer

As near as I can figure from your post, you need four days off in two weeks.

You're complaining that you have to work one day and take classes the next. You seem to think that two days that you can't do what you want is a hardship. It's adult life. If you've had a year to take these classes, and you only work two or three days a week, yes you were irresponsible to leave this until the last minute.

Christin K · Answer

Yes, she can write you up for missing any mandatory training. You must make some attempt to take the training, by rearranging your schedule or letting your boss do that. Splitting hairs like this is not productive. Talk to your boss again about this and try to come to some arrangement about your working days AND the training.

StephenWeinstein · Answer

I think you're supposed to do the training on a day that you weren't scheduled for regular work.

babyboomer1001 · Answer

No, training is NOT working.  That training should have been done on YOUR time.  On the weekends or when you are not scheduled to work at your job.  You were properly written up.

A Hunch · Answer

If your employer has a unique requirement that requires you to do this training, them you need to be paid for the training.
The employer can still require you to work specific days and have specific training days.  If you don't work the work day, you can be fired.

If the training is not related to this specific job but in order for you to hold the job, then you need to plan your schedule so that you work when you need to work and do training on your own time.

For example:
A nurse needs to do "continuing education" in order to continue to keep their nursing license.  This is a state requirement, not a job requirement.
- The nurse does the "continuing education" on their own time to maintain their license. They don't get paid for this time.  It's what they do to keep their job.

Can My Boss Write Me Up For Missing Work For Mandatory Training?

15 Answers