Overtime: When is it due to me?
A: Overtime is typically due to an employee when they work more than 40 hours in a workweek. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in the United States, eligible employees must be paid at least one and a half times their regular hourly rate for any hours worked over 40 hours in a workweek.
Some states have their own overtime laws that may require overtime pay for fewer than 40 hours worked in a week or for certain types of work or industries. Employers are required to comply with both federal and state overtime laws and provide the greater benefit to the employee.
It’s important to note that not all employees are eligible for overtime pay. Some exempt employees, such as executives, professionals, and certain administrative employees, are not entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA. Employers are responsible for properly classifying their employees as exempt or non-exempt based on their job duties and responsibilities.
In addition to federal and state overtime laws, some employers may have their own overtime policies and procedures that provide additional compensation for working overtime. Employees should review their employment contracts, employee handbooks, or speak with their employer to understand their specific overtime policies and procedures.
For covered, nonexempt employees, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime pay at a rate of not less than one and one-half times an employee’s regular rate of pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek. Some exceptions to the 40 hours per week standard apply under special circumstances to police officers and firefighters employed by public agencies and to employees of hospitals and nursing homes.
Some states also have enacted overtime laws. Where an employee is subject to both the state and federal overtime laws, the employee is entitled to overtime according to the higher standard (i.e., the standard that will provide the higher rate of pay).
I worked for a hotel for 4 yrs. Since I started I would work 48 to 50 hrs a week with no overtime pay. There was one month I was putting in 70 to 80 hrs in one week. when I asked my boss if he was going to pay me my overtime he quickly typed up a contract waivering my rights to ask for my OT, and said if I did not sign he would look for someone else to replace me. I had to sign at the moment I was a single mother. I had no paid maternity leave wich I ended up going back to work 2 days after giving birth. Bills wont pay themselves. To top it off in January 2014 my dad was in icu on life support for 3 weeks, I live in Ar and my dad in Tx I told my boss I was leaving for 3 weeks he said it was fine but when I came back he said he thought I didnt want to work anymore so he hired someone else. Ive been out of a job for 2 months. What do I need to do to get my overtime paid to me? Will I qualify for unemployment?
According to the United State Department of Labor:
“The federal overtime provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Unless exempt, employees covered by the Act must receive overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek at a rate not less than time and one-half their regular rates of pay. There is no limit in the Act on the number of hours employees aged 16 and older may work in any workweek. The Act does not require overtime pay for work on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or regular days of rest, unless overtime is worked on such days.” http://www.dol.gov/whd/overtime_pay.htm
Based on this Federal Provision you are clearly owed overtime pay. I recommend you file a complaint with your state department of labor. You may also consider getting some legal aid peruse your claim against your past employer for overtime pay.
In regards to your work after pregnancy; The United State Department of Labor also states:
” An employee’s ability to use FMLA leave during pregnancy or after the birth of a child has not changed. Under the regulations, a mother can use 12 weeks of FMLA leave for the birth of a child, for prenatal care and incapacity related to pregnancy, and for her own serious health condition following the birth of a child. A father can use FMLA leave for the birth of a child and to care for his spouse who is incapacitated (due to pregnancy or child birth).” http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/finalrule/NonMilitaryFAQs.htm