In Massachusetts, employees are entitled to receive overtime pay for any hours worked over 40 in a given workweek. The overtime rate is 1.5 times the employee’s regular hourly rate. This means that if an employee earns $20 per hour, they would be entitled to receive $30 per hour for any overtime hours worked.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Certain employees are exempt from overtime pay requirements, including salaried executives, certain more high-level administrators, and professional employees.
Common Violations by Employers
Despite these laws, many employers in Massachusetts violate overtime pay requirements by failing to pay employees the proper rate for overtime hours or by misclassifying employees as exempt from overtime pay requirements.
One of the most common violations is misclassifying employees as exempt from overtime pay. Employers may do this to avoid paying overtime, but it is illegal. To be exempt from overtime pay, an employee must meet specific criteria, including earning a certain minimum amount of compensation and performing specific job duties. If an employee is misclassified, they may be entitled to back pay for the overtime hours they worked.
Another common violation is failing to pay employees for all hours worked. This can include work performed before or after scheduled shifts, working through lunch breaks, or working from home. Employees are entitled to be paid for all hours worked, regardless of whether the work was authorized or not.
Employers may also violate overtime laws by averaging hours over two or more weeks. This is illegal in Massachusetts, as employees must be paid overtime for any hours worked over 40 in a given workweek.
Connecting with an Experienced Massachusetts Employment Lawyer
If you believe you are owed overtime wages from your employer, it is important to speak with an experienced Massachusetts employment lawyer. An employment lawyer can review your case and help you understand your rights under Massachusetts law.
An employment lawyer can also help you determine whether you have a valid claim for back pay and help you negotiate with your employer to recover the overtime pay you are owed. If necessary, they can also represent you in court.
It is important to act quickly if you believe you have a claim for unpaid overtime wages. In Massachusetts, there is a three-year statute of limitations for filing claims for unpaid overtime wages. If you wait too long, you may be barred from recovering the overtime pay you are owed.
In Massachusetts, employees are entitled to receive overtime pay for any hours worked over 40 in a given workweek. However, many employers violate overtime pay laws by misclassifying employees as exempt from overtime pay, failing to pay for all hours worked, or averaging hours over two or more weeks.
If you believe you are owed overtime pay from your employer, it is important to speak with an experienced Massachusetts employment lawyer. An employment lawyer can help you understand your rights and recover the overtime pay you are owed.