Wage and hour issues are one of the most common (and expensive) problems employers face-and many of them come from simple misunderstandings. For example, not all employees can be treated as “salary” and exempt from overtime. Just because someone is paid a salary doesn’t mean they don’t qualify for overtime pay. Job duties matter just as much as how they’re paid. Another common issue is failing to track all hours worked, including time spent answering emails after hours or working through lunch. Even small amounts of unpaid time can add up quickly and turn into a bigger problem if multiple employees are affected.
The good news is that most of these issues are preventable with a few proactive steps. Make sure job descriptions actually match what employees do day-to-day, and regularly review classifications to confirm they’re still correct. Train managers not to allow “off-the-clock” work, even if an employee volunteers. And most importantly, create a clear system for tracking time and reporting concerns so problems can be caught early. A little attention now can save significant time, money, and stress down the road.
All of our attorneys at Employer-Lawyer can conduct wage and hour audits for your company to review how you are classifying and paying your employees. Give us a call to schedule a time for us to conduct an audit for you!
