If you are one of those workaholics who spend long hours at the office yet you are not fully compensated for it, it’s time you take action. While being the bright star at work may feel like a rewarding experience, it’ll take so much from you without giving anything back. In other words, work hard but get paid accordingly. After all, there are only so many hours in a week. You’re sacrificing your personal time to build something that’s not even yours. Ask a Los Angeles violations attorney what your legal options are.
How is overtime calculated?
In California, all nonexempt employees get paid overtime at a rate of 1.5 times more than their regular pay as long as the hours worked exceed 40 hours per week or more than 8 hours a day. The rule also applies to salaried employees. However, some employees may not qualify.
Workday
Employees who work more than eight hours a day during the workweek should first establish which ones are the workdays in order to calculate overtime accurately. In California, a workday starts at the same hour every day and it lasts 24 hours. All employees don’t have the same schedule. When the employer doesn’t determine the workday, it should last from midnight to midnight on the following day. Overtime is paid depending on the hours worked each working day. Employers should keep consistency about their workdays unless some changes to benefit the business are required.
Workweek
Employees who work more than 40 hours a week are entitled to overtime compensation. In California, a workweek is seven successive days or 168 hours starting the same day every week. Although every employee may have a different workweek, there should be a clear working schedule. The schedule or working week can only be modified if changes are permanent and the changes won’t interfere with the employer’s obligation to pay.
Overtime can be exhausting
Although overtime can help build a company especially during the beginning stages, it can also be exhausting. Some of the most common effects of overtime include:
- More health problems
The ones linked to overtime include high blood pressure, mental health problems, more injuries, more alcohol consumption, and an increase in suicide rates.
- Safety risk
The more overworked you are the more impaired you will be to perform certain tasks. A tired person is more prone to errors and accidents.
- Less productivity or lack of performance
You may start your workweek fast and enthusiastic but towards the end, your mind and body will be too tired to produce anything.
How to manage overtime?
There is not a one-size-fits-all type of answer to this question. Employers should take the initiative to reduce overtime if they are not willing to pay. They can also increase productivity during working hours that way overtime is less necessary. But if you work overtime you should get paid accordingly. It’s the law and it should be respected otherwise a Los Angeles overtime violations attorney will step into the picture to remind your employer of your legal rights and ensure you are fairly compensated.