First I will ask: Does anyone on this board work for OSHA or know about employment laws?
I apologize in advance if I sound a little crazy, but my spouse has been ill for 5 days and I'm pretty upset about a different work situation. But here goes:
We have found out that an underground transformer right behind our building on campus could possibly "blow" or just quit working at any time. This will mean a total shutdown of our library. We'll have no power, no AC, no internet. We've been told we'll temporarily move to another building. BUT, if anyone should need a book, they think we're going to come over here in the dark, in summer with no AC, no backup power, and pull books for people.
Is this legal? Can they make us do that? My spouse (who used to work in the construction field) says no way--there are safety laws in place preventing people from entering a building under these conditions. This is why I'm asking about OSHA. Because I plan to report my employer if they think they're going to force us to do this.
Frankly, I cannot see why they don't either 1) lay everyone off for the period of time the building will be closed; or 2) talk to another college just blocks away, with whom we share tuition reimbursement and a common bookstore. Why can't people use their library in the interim?
The other thing they said is everyone should be taking vacation time during this period. I'll be off a week in June, but I don't have enough vacation time to take off more. Can an employer tell you when to take your vacation time?
Thanks for listening.