Partner’s Job Seems To Be Illegal Things…

Location: MD, USA

Hi all, been debating asking about this and super debating anonymously reaching out to our state labor office about it. But I wanted to come here first to see if this is even okay.

My partner works a full-time job that is primarily outdoors and involves a ton of chemicals. (Will be relevant later)

Employees are not allowed overtime at all. Not just, oh if you get close you leave. Everyone works the same day. Last 30 minutes they come back to the business to do routine maintenance in office. If they do not finish by clock out they have to stay and they do not get paid past clock out time.

They get a couple PTO days at the beginning of the year (I think like 5 max, probably less). They do not get any more PTO, sick, or anything unless they “work for it”

They have optional Saturdays where they work overtime and can “earn” extra PTOs and that is the only way you can take a day off. However, they do not get overtime for it. They get paid half pay…
In addition, in peak season, they are REQUIRED to work a couple Saturdays each month (they do not get PTO earned for required days) and they still get paid half pay those days.

When I was told this, my immediate thought is that this HAS to be illegal, no?

An hour lunch is taken out of their paycheck each day, but they are not allowed to take a lunch most of the time. (Sometimes they are threatened that they’ll only get 30 min lunch that day,, but they don’t get one anyway?)

I mentioned before they work with chemicals. A couple coworkers have gotten ill and burns from the chemicals. (It doesn’t physically get in their mouth or eyes but just it blowing in the wind is enough to cause harm since it’s so strong). Coworkers have asked if they could have standard PPE (respirators, gloves, goggles) but have been denied because it “isn’t necessary” maybe to some? But what about the people getting burns on their faces?

I don’t think I missed anything about it, but I’m sure there’s more. Please let me know if I’m being crazy, but I’m pretty sure most of this is illegal.

Added: also, it’s been 90-100 degrees the past few weeks. They are not allowed to work any differently and are not provided drinking water. I’m pretty sure in MD there is a specific law for heat protection.