Everyone who puts on a uniform, punches the clock, and works hard to earn a living deserves to be compensated fairly and correctly. Sometimes, however, questions may arise about whether an employer correctly paid an employee based on the laws that apply to working relationships in the United States. This is particularly common when it comes to overtime time pay.
Labor and employment law generally requires employers to pay their employees honestly and faithfully — including, in many cases, for overtime.
In Georgia, overtime law is governed by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It requires that all employees be paid one and one half times their regular rate of pay for any hours they work in excess of 40 hours during any given week (commonly referred to as “time and a half”).
Exempt Employees from Overtime
Some employees are exempt or fall outside of the overtime requirements in the FLSA. Specifically, overtime pay is not required for salaried employees who perform the following kinds of duties:
That might seem straightforward, but in reality, it isn’t always easy to determine who meets these definitions and who does not. Overtime violations are among the most common employee complaints in Georgia, and the law in this area is very complex. In fact, employers often mistakenly assume that an employee is exempt from FLSA when they are actually entitled to overtime pay.
Employers don’t always intend to underpay their employees, but it still happens with surprising frequency. Scenarios that may give rise to successful claims for overtime violations include:
It’s always best to talk with an experienced overtime attorney if you have concerns about overtime pay. Too often, employees and employers alike believe that their payments are being issued in compliance with state and federal law when, in fact, they’re not.
The dedicated legal team at The Reddy Law Firm, P.C. can help you seek compensation for any overtime payments or other unpaid wages to which you may be entitled. Attorney K.P. Reddy has years of experience in representing clients in Atlanta, Roswell, Decatur, Johns Creek, and all across Georgia in complex employment law matters. Contact him today at (678) 629-3246 for a free phone consultation.