Overtime

All employees should familiarize themselves with the concept of overtime in order to ensure that they are receiving the correct amount of money earned each pay period. Employers who allow their workers to receive overtime must pay them 1.5 times their regular pay for the extra time labored outside of their normal working period (typically 40 hours a week). Not all employers allow their employees to work extra time, and not all employees are eligible for overtime pay.

Who earns overtime?

All nonexempt employees who are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act are eligible to receive the federally mandated overtime pay of 1.5 times their average wages. Most companies in both private and public sectors are covered by the law. Those who are considered exempt from overtime pay include the following:

• Seamen working on foreign watercraft
• Fishermen/women
• Newspaper delivery workers
• Some small newspaper and telephone company workers
• Teachers and administrative personnel
• Some computer professionals and outside sales employees
• Small farm workers
• Informal babysitters and companions of the elderly/sick

Most other employees, both full-time and part-time, should be eligible for overtime pay. In total, over 100 million employees are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Contact Us

If you would like to learn more about overtime and when you should be paid for putting in extra hours, contact the San Antonio employment lawyers of Melton & Kumler, LLP today at 800-681-6932 to speak with an attorney about your questions.