I have a question on work place rights. I live in Iowa and work as a receptionist at a doctors office. We’re a busy office with a high call volume, so there is a huge emphasis on calls and a pressure to take as many calls as we can.

One day the tornado sirens were going off and patients were being gathered to exam rooms to take shelter. One of the other receptionists and I (theres a handful of us receptionists there) were working in the back in the spots that are more focused on phones. we were away from our desks wondering what to do when our boss went up to us and told us that she had not turned the phones off yet, and to get back on phones. It wasn’t until 10 minutes later or so that she finally turned them off, but by then I was stuck on a long call that kept me at my desk practically the rest of the tornado warning. I felt like the call volume was being prioritized over my safety.

My question is, is what my boss did legal? Do I have any rights in this situation? Is this worth reporting to OSHA?