Workplace Lottery Pool Legalities

[DeathEatsaCracker]

I run a lottery pool at work with about 12-14 regular contributors. While I'm collecting money, there is zero lost productivity. I had heard that the plant manager had made a comment to another person running a seperate pool about keeping the money tied up in court unless the winnings were shared by every employee since the money was gathered on company time.

Does anyone know if this is legal? If not, does it fix the situation if I collect only before or after my shift or while both parties are at break?

 

[ComputerGuru]

I believe that "technically" anything you do on company time, can be "claimed" by the company.

 

[RobFunk]

I dont know, but he sure sounds like a dick head

 

[dmmd98]

Wow that plant manager is a big baby. A couple of things that jump out at me. The company has to prove that you doing this on company time is effecting productivity since you can counter it by collecting during a break on a lunch. Two even if it does effect productivity the manager in question would have a hard time presenting a case before the court that the loss in poroductivity is costing the company anywhere near the amount of any large lottery winnings.
So to answer your question can the company tied up the funds in court...well yes. However it is highly doubtful the company has any leg to stand on in court plus the bad press that would follow either locally or nationally depending on the size of the company would harm the company. Finally yes collecting during non work time would leave the manager in question with nothing to bitch about.

 

[JimmyHoffa]

We got around the legality isssues by negotiating with management. We agreed to donate 10% to the employee fund (X-mas party, picnic, etc.) in exchange for letting the football and ncaabb pools run without fear of retribution. The pools come out looking like fundraisers for the employee fund much like a raffle or white elephant sale.

 

[RobFunk]

Jimmy, that just suprises me that management would give a hoot.

I've never worked at a place where this was an issue, I think the comradery between employees that takes place is a good thing

 

[JimmyHoffa]

Jimmy, that just suprises me that management would give a hoot.

I've never worked at a place where this was an issue, I think the comradery between employees that takes place is a good thing

Bunch of tight asses Rob.

 

[sherman]

first of all, why is this thread in the rubber room, it belongs in the main room!

yeah, that guy sounds like an asshole....i never worked anywhere wheresomeone cared....

to answer your question, it is legal to do as long as no one is profiting from it...in other words you can't take 10% for your work running it, nothing like that....100% must be returned...at least in Connecticut, that's how it works, believe me, i've checked....

 

[DeathEatsaCracker]

first of all, why is this thread in the rubber room, it belongs in the main room!

yeah, that guy sounds like an asshole....i never worked anywhere wheresomeone cared....

to answer your question, it is legal to do as long as no one is profiting from it...in other words you can't take 10% for your work running it, nothing like that....100% must be returned...at least in Connecticut, that's how it works, believe me, i've checked....

I have to drive 150 miles round trip to Kansas to get the tickets and I charge $10 to cover fuel, etc. Should I stop charging even though I'm not even breaking even? Also, what would be a good (free) resource to find out what the law is in Oklahoma?

By the way, the plant manager is a woman...and yes, she is an asshole.