In Missouri, there are many employees who pick up extra shifts whenever they can in order to put a little more money in the bank. It can be hard to make ends meet, so having some extra savings for when times are tough can be extremely helpful. However, something many of these workers do not realize is that they may not be being paid all they are entitled to for these extra hours. Many employees are entitled to overtime pay at a rate of 50 percent more than their usual wage.
In general, overtime refers to any amount of time you work for when you have already covered 40 hours within the same workweek. This period of time is defined as any consecutive 168 hours, starting at any point, or seven consecutive spans of 24 hours. Your employer is not permitted to attempt to cover the cost of your overtime with time off or by paying you in goods.
While some employees are exempt from these rules, as this article on hour laws mentions, if you are not exempt, you are not able to waive your right to this extra pay. Exemption depends on a combination of factors, including your rate of pay, your primary duties and whether you are paid hourly or on a salary.
If you have any concerns about your working hours or your rate of pay, you might benefit from the advice of an attorney. You deserve to be fairly compensated for the work you do, so if you feel there is a problem, it is important to stand up for your rights. Your attorney may be able to assist you with your claim and help you to pursue the compensation and fair treatment that you deserve.
