Employees who perform overtime work are entitled to receive due compensation as federal and state employment laws provide that they be given overtime pay for every hour that exceeds the standard 40 working hours per week.
In some states, an employee would receive an hour and a half worth of pay for every overtime hour. But, how about those who are not covered under these employment provisions?
Overtime for Exempt Employees
In cases like exempted employees from overtime pays, the employer has the power to determine the amount of working hours that the worker would allot each week.
A section in the Federal Acquisitions Regulations encourages employers to give extra pay for exempt employee especially if their employment agreement is based on their time and not on their duty.
As a compensation for most of these workers, they are entitled to receive bonuses and other additional amount to their salary or extra paid breaks.
Depending on their contract, the employer and the worker can work something out in order to compensate for the extra hours worked for by the latter.
However, both parties must make sure that they would not violate any pre-existing employment laws in their agreement.
For employees who doubt the legitimacy of his contract with his employer, he can consult with an employment attorney to be enlightened on some issues regarding their salary or overtime work.
Employees Exempted in Overtime Pays
Under the federal Fair labor Standards Act, employees who are involved in sales and other related professions are exempted from overtime pays. Here are some of the exempt employees:
White collar workers such as administrators, executives and professional employees.
Mechanics, loaders, drivers, and driver's helpers.
Airline Employees and aircraft technicians and Salesmen
Computer specialists and professionals.
Farmers or farm workers, Seamen, Fishermen and others involved in fishing operations.
Recreational and Seasonal Establishment Employees.
Employees involved in sales especially commissioned salesperson.
Criminal investigators and independent contractors.
Newspaper deliverers and those who work for small newspapers.
Volunteers and Domestic Babysitters.
Most of these overtime exempted employees include computer experts, white-collar workers, and employees involved in sales and services.
The exemption of an employee does not solely rely on his job title but on his duties and responsibilities to the company as well. Those who are still unsure whether or not they are exempted from overtime pay are encouraged to contact lawyers who can assess their situation.
Overtime for Exempt Employees is designed to give compensation even for employees who are working under special circumstances. However, problems arise when a regular worker is misclassified as an exempt worker and deprived of pay for services they rendered overtime.
To prevent this unfair treatment, these aggrieved employees must file claims for unpaid overtimes. They must consult with an employment lawyer in their area who fully understands state employment laws they can use.
