Our Office manager wants everyone to start voulenteering out side the office so we can get the banks name?

"out there" to start getting account referrals, I work 40 hours a week, and I usually have 2 days off during the week, and I like that to to things I need to do. I do not think that we should have to do this,

They basically want us to go out and sell checking accounts. I think it is nice to mention to the customer, but i really do not like harrassing them. In the office, he basically wants us to not let the customer leave until you sell it to them.

That is like borderline harrassment. We have alot of senior citizens in our branch, who really do not like to be bothered with that.
I don't mind making account referrals, I really don't mind calling people, unless it is around dinner time.

But voulenteering? Seriously, can they do this.

Nope, if you're doing work for the bank, you better be getting paid for it. Volunteering, doing non-bank things, is okay, but not if you're going to feel like you're still working. You're time is you're time, to do as you wish

I dont honestly think they can "make" you volunteer...Thats why its called "volunteering" Just make sure you did not sign anything that states you will do outside marketing for the company when you were hired on. Of course if you didn't I guess they could try to make it hard to work there if you go against them...like most companies :)

Good Luck!

To encourage their employees to "give back to the community" is honorable. However, to expect their employees to do this with the intention of selling checking accounts is another thing!!! Shame on them.

I think you employer can do just about anything they want.
I believe most states the employers are favored in labor disputes. I work for a hospital and in order to have a favorable evaluation I must participate in 3 volunteer activities a year. I already work well over 40 hours as a salaried employee.
It is no longer something that is implied, but is now required.
I can always decide to work somewhere else, but until then I do my 3 " volunteer " activities a year

If you are in the US. Many banks have built in budgets to pay employees to be involved in their communities. I do a lot of networking as part of my work and I always see people from the banking industry out there.
It you are a salaried employee extra hours may be an expectation. I do not believe they can force you to do anything in your at home hours. However there are lots of activities you can do during your work hours that you can get paid for.
Think about what kind of volunteer work you might be interested in and then find something that happens during the day. That way you are bringing it to them and you have control over it.

I go the the Chamber of Commerce luncheons. It is a nice lunch and chance to talk to some nice people and network. It is also over lunch. As a side note once you get involved in a group like this you might be able to schmooze your way into a better job somewhere else.

They can not force you to volunteer, but it may have a negative impact on your performance evaluation. If the bank has anything in their mission about giving back to the community, they can slam you on it.

You can fight it but in the end it would really be easier to find something and them let you manager decide if they are willing to let you have flex time out of the office to participate. That way if they say no - hey you tried and they shot you down.

Good Luck.