What law protects overworked semiconductor engineers?

Hi, I am an engineer working in the semiconductor IC design business. I am wondering if there is any LAW that can prevent us engineers being exploited by companies for more productivity. I find myself constantly have to work into late hours/weekends (by request of managers, no, not a startup company) for no immediate financial reward, in order to meet the goal of not missing a deadline. Is this the "NORM" of this industry or am I just in an "un-human" profession. I.e.,. Why are PH.D. engineers (that's me) being paid so low compared to lawyers and M.D.s.

Rita Risser's Response:

The basic law underlying all of American employment rights is called at-will employment, which derives from the master-servant relationship. The main right you have in this situation is the right to quit. In California, you also have the right to refuse to work more than 72 hours a week.

I work for lots of semiconductor companies, and hear about the practices at others, and many of them have the same culture you describe. The one outstanding exception is Intel. They recognize that to be the world leader they must have endurance, which can only come from employees who live balanced lives. This is not an ad for Intel; Altera is another example, and there are many more, I'm sure.

Next time you interview, ask about their philosophy about deadlines, long hours, etc.

And as for those high salaries lawyers and MDs make, don't believe it. The average doctor and lawyer do not break $100K.

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