While many jobs ask employees to work 40 hours a week, some jobs are more demanding. Employees may be asked to work overtime to complete large projects, meet critical deadlines and help ensure tasks stay on track.
When an employee works more than 40 hours in a week, they may be entitled to overtime pay. Here is what you should know:
How much overtime can employees earn?
Idaho follows federal overtime laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA allows nonexempt employees the right to earn overtime pay. An employee who works more than 40 hours in a workweek can earn one and one-half their typical pay rate. In other words, a person who earns $20 an hour can earn $30 in overtime for every hour past 40 in a workweek.
What happens if an employee is not paid overtime?
If an employer does not pay the overtime, it could be because they believe that the worker is exempt. Exempt employees are not entitled to overtime pay.
Someone may be exempt if they meet a certain salary level or if they have a specific job title, such as executive or administrator.
However, if an employer withholds overtime pay from a nonexempt employee, that worker may need to speak to them about the issue. If the business refuses to pay an employee overtime, it could be considered wage theft.
Employers may attempt to withhold overtime pay by claiming that the person was working off-the-clock or is considered exempt. If an employer is stealing wages from someone it employs, it can lead to major legal issues. Professional legal guidance may be necessary to resolve the issue.
