My boss appears to expect me to work over my contracted 40hrs a week without paying me or giving me time off for the extra hours work. Is it OK to be forced to work extra hours without being paid as I am on salary based wage. Do I have the right to refuse? Do I have any rights to claim bk extra hrs worked? Thanks

Union or contract involved?

If you feel the extra time/hours are abusive, report the situation to your local Wage and Hour (or whatever it's called in your area).

If you are an employment at will employee you can probably expect to be terminated.

How abusive is the situation?

"salary based wage" pick one but not both. You are salaried or you are paid an hourly wage. Salary gets not right to overtime, hourly gets time and a half for over 40 hours in one week. You say contracted, do you actually have a contract that states 40 hours a week, please tell us more and answer Judy's questions

And you say "contracted" are you an employee or a contractor paid with 1099 ?

And are you hourly or salary, as noted you are not both.

If you are salary and unless there is a agreement in writing, as to the houses, yes, salary people are often asked to work 50 or 60 hours a week.

Can you refuse? Well I guess and they can fire you if you do. There are issues about giving you notice to work over and the such.