If your employer requires you to work off the clock, it’s important to better understand why this is the case and what you can do to protect your legal rights. Neglecting to take action will have an adverse impact on your life, as you’re putting in hours that you’re not paid for.
There are many forms of off-the-clock work, including but not limited to:
- Unpaid preparation: For example, setting up a workplace before a shift should be done on the clock. The same holds true with following closing procedures.
- Unpaid administrative work: This includes things such as organizing paperwork, taking part in meetings with management and undergoing training.
- Unpaid rework: There may be a time when you’re asked to redo a project, such as to add more information or correct mistakes. Even though you were paid to complete the job the first time, the same should hold true the second time around.
Can you recover back wages?
If you’ve been asked by your employer to work off the clock, discuss the legality of doing so with your HR department. A simple discussion may be all you need in order to receive the pay you deserve.
If your employer isn’t willing to comply, you can file a complaint with the Department of Labor. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to recover back wages for any unpaid hours and overtime over the past three years.
It’s not always easy to protect your legal rights regarding working off the clock, but it’s a necessity if you want to receive the pay you deserve.
