i work for a managed service provider providing IT services. I am hourly on a helpdesk. Recently I indicated .2 hours over 8 hours for a call that came in 10 minutes before my shift was over. it took me 10 minutes or so after my shift to fix the issue. I got chewed out by my boss saying any and all overtime has to be approved and that they would not be paying these onesies and twosies little amounts. i dont deliberately look for overtime opportunities nor am I trying to cheat my company. Was I in the wrong here?
But how do u figure that govt says it should be an hourly job?
You were in the wrong for not getting prior approval. Your employer is in the wrong if they don’t pay you for work you actually do. Having said that, what did your employer say about calls that run over? Do they want you to transfer the call to someone else? Hang up? Unlawfully work for free? Stop accepting calls x minutes before the end of your shift?
This second question is the key and is phrased 100% correctly. We know what they want you to do, unlawfully work for free. What you need to do is push your boss to write a policy that can be followed. Why? Because these are shit companies trying to circumvent labor laws.
I just found out yesterday that I should transfer the call to someone else. The problem is the others are working over and not recording it. I just found out yesterday a coworker was stuck on the phone an extra 50 minutes but didn’t record it. Not that they would have paid him for it but I just think it’s wrong.
They would have paid him for it. It’s the law and a provision of all government contracts.
Systemic pressure to work unpaid. What state are you in? That’s called wage theft. Report it to your state’s labor board. Just document a few times it happens with names, dates and details and send it over. No skin off your back. They get buried in paperwork and you all get back pay.
I worked help desk for 4 months, at the end of my shift id make sure im, not at the beginning of the queue so I would not get a call, or i'd just go to the br 10 minutes before the end of my shift
To cover your own ass, follow up with your manager via email. Summarize what happened and request directions for what they would have you do next time. Sounds like a poorly run place. Most places I’ve heard of have their help desk stop taking calls 15-30 mins prior to shift ending to finish up work from earlier in the day.
Yes it’s a train wreck. I am applying for other companies as quick as I can. I’ve only been at this job for 3 months. This place will not be going on the resume.
I recommend going to reddit and posting on /r/legaladvice . List your state. If you file a wage claim you will likely be fired. you might want to ask about documenting and filing a wage claim after you get a new job.
You weren't. But also I don't think it's about .2 hrs. It's about policy. If they have "all overtime needs to be approved" policy. Then it's likely enforced. Bottom line it's not your fault. But in future if this happens, talk to them before submitting time card. Also don't work at such a place please. Find a better job.
I agree on finding something better. A friend got me the job and I am very unhappy. I am increasing my efforts to find something else.
:) One thing to remember is hourly paid vs salaried is the difference between job vs career.