Hypothetical. Would this be permitted in a US state (or DC), or for that matter, Canadian province, Australian state (or NT and Canberra), New Zealand, UK (including Channel Islands and Man), or EU members.
Let's say an eccentric multi-millionaire wanted to hire 20 people to live in a large building for a year. They have to be in it, or in a large yard on the building’s grounds, for over 6000 hours a year (keeping in mind that a common year (such as 2025) has 24 hrs/day x 365 days = 8760 hours).
While in this building, if they wear anything, they must wear uniforms of a fictional sci-fi story (like Star Trek, Space 1999, or Galaxy Quest) all the time. The uniforms are obvious but not uncomfortable, and are regularly washed. They must wear these uniforms while in the building, on the grounds, or even outside (they can wear less of the uniforms, or wear nothing, for bathing, other bathroom purposes, sleeping, whatever). They have to maintain hygiene. Grooming might be regulated, though probably not. While they have separate cabins, they might be checked for uniformity to the uniform code.
They will be required to improvise act, 6 hours a week, and might be hired to do other work if they wish. For such, they will be paid, say, US$30/hr (or equivalent), but for the rest of the time, they are paid nothing—thus (52 wks/year x 6 hrs/wk x $30/hr =) $9 360 minimally per person.
While in this building—and in uniform—and aside from the 6 hrs a week—they can do pretty much whatever they wish. This includes reading, listening to music (or any other audio), making music (there's a music room with instruments they can use), watching TV (DVDs and the like), talking, lounging around, spending time on computers and taking whatever they make on computers home. Some effort will be made to get them books, audios, and videos that they want, and they can probably bring a few of their own. There is a large rec room with ping pong, air hockey, and pool tables. Outside is a yard, food garden, ornamental garden, where they can practice gardening skills at their will, as well as a lawn, bushy area where plants grow wild, basketball and tennis courts. They get free meals, and some health care costs are covered.
Aside from the aforementioned paid tasks, they will get only $20 000 each for that year. (i.e. $9 360 + $20 000 = $29 360)
Would this be allowed?
Thank you.
They are paid $20 000, to wear a uniform that year, and stay 6000 hours of that year, at the place.
8760 hours/yr - 6000 hours = 2760 hours = up to 115 full days away from the place
If they are required to wear uniforms and be present, and they aren't in the military or in prison. then they are working those 6000 hours. If they are paid for that time then it wouldn't be an issue.
Why are you tied to $20k in pay?
It's simple, less than minimum wage if spread out through 6000 hours, yet I think many people would take the job.
Think about it: a person will get $20 000, free room and board, where wt:thon can spend all day playing soccer, basketball, pool, or video games—aside from 312 hours of improv—for which thon gets an additional $9 360.
Just pay them minimum wage, especially if they are getting paid for sleeping, and it becomes perfectly legal. Paying with room and board, as opposed to it being a perk on top of pay, is company store shenanigans and a no go at least in the US.
Getting people to take less than minimum wage is just an avenue for lawsuits when it is illegal.
6000 * $7.25 = $43,500 in all the states that use the national minimum wage and no overtime laws. You would absolutely get people if the room and board was provided on top of that pay.
6000 hrs is to stay there. They'd have to wear the uniform (if anything) 8760 hr for that year.
In Texas, that would be:
$7.25 x 6000 hours at the place would be $43 500, or over 1⅓x of what he’d pay them.
$7.25 x 8760 hours in the uniform place would be $63 510, or over twice of what he’d pay them.
I just check Poland.
Apparently min wage is zł4.666/month, or about US$1291.55/month, or $15 498.59/yr.