Overtime: When is it due to me?
A: Overtime is typically due to an employee when they work more than 40 hours in a workweek. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in the United States, eligible employees must be paid at least one and a half times their regular hourly rate for any hours worked over 40 hours in a workweek.
Some states have their own overtime laws that may require overtime pay for fewer than 40 hours worked in a week or for certain types of work or industries. Employers are required to comply with both federal and state overtime laws and provide the greater benefit to the employee.
It’s important to note that not all employees are eligible for overtime pay. Some exempt employees, such as executives, professionals, and certain administrative employees, are not entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA. Employers are responsible for properly classifying their employees as exempt or non-exempt based on their job duties and responsibilities.
In addition to federal and state overtime laws, some employers may have their own overtime policies and procedures that provide additional compensation for working overtime. Employees should review their employment contracts, employee handbooks, or speak with their employer to understand their specific overtime policies and procedures.
For covered, nonexempt employees, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime pay at a rate of not less than one and one-half times an employee’s regular rate of pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek. Some exceptions to the 40 hours per week standard apply under special circumstances to police officers and firefighters employed by public agencies and to employees of hospitals and nursing homes.
Some states also have enacted overtime laws. Where an employee is subject to both the state and federal overtime laws, the employee is entitled to overtime according to the higher standard (i.e., the standard that will provide the higher rate of pay).
im working a salary job and the company is currently paying me “chinese” overtime for every hour over 40 that i work, instead of time and a half. is there any way to get the full compensation for that overtime?
The federal overtime provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Unless exempt, employees covered by the Act must receive overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek at a rate not less than time and one-half their regular rates of pay. There is no limit in the Act on the number of hours employees aged 16 and older may work in any workweek. The Act does not require overtime pay for work on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or regular days of rest, unless overtime is worked on such days.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is responsible for administering and enforcing some of the nation’s most important worker protection laws. WHD is committed to ensuring that workers in this country are paid properly and for all the hours they work, regardless of immigration status.
If you have questions or concerns, you can contact us at 1-866-487-9243 or visit http://www.wagehour.dol.gov. You will be directed to the nearest WHD office for assistance. There are WHD offices throughout the country with trained professionals to help you. http://www.dol.gov/wecanhelp/howtofilecomplaint.htm