Florida Overtime Laws - Working an Overnight Shift

Many people work hours that are outside of theyour employer combines two or more weeks on
traditional Monday-to-Friday "9:00 to 5:00" job.a paycheck. For example, some employees get
People who often do this include health carepaid bi-weekly or semi-monthly which means an
workers, factory shift workers, and those in theemployer may refuse to pay overtime for the
retail or transportation fields as well employees infirst week at, for example, 45 hours when the
various other fields. The state of Florida followssecond week is less than 40 hours because they'll
the guidelines of the Fair Labor and Standards Actcombine the two to get a total of 80 hours or
(FLSA). While employers are not required to payless.
their employees additional wages for overnight2. Meetings or training - if you are required to
work, workers may find that wages can beattend a meeting or do some training outside of
higher on overnight shifts due to shift differentials.work hours, you may be entitled to Florida
Regardless of the compensation arrangementsovertime wages.
made between an employee and employer for3. Unpaid breaks or working through lunch - you
overnight shifts, non-exempt workers who workmay be owed overtimeif your employer does not
more than forty hours in a work week must bepay you for breaks of more than 5 minutes and
paid overtime in Florida.less than 20 minutes or if you are required to
 clock out for lunch, but must complete
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was passedwork-related duties during your lunch break.
in 1937 and remains one of the primary laws4. Pre-approval of overtime - do you need to get
dealing with overtime in the U. S. The FLSA wasapproval before working overtime? If your
adopted in order to set wage standards andemployer will not pay for unapproved overtime
guidelines for employers. The state of Floridaeven if you work the extra hours, you may be
requires employers to follow these regulationsable to get Florida overtime wages.
when it comes to paying overtime for their5. On call - if you are required to be 'on call' and
employees.must report to work on short notice, you may
Overnight shift workers are defined (in general) asbe entitled to overtime pay. Also, if you are
those employees that work between 11:00 p.m.required to check your company Blackberry or
and 6:00 a.m. Employees who work three orPDA, or answer emails or texts after work hours
more hours during this time frame are consideredyou may be entitled to overtime pay..
to be overnight workers. These types ofIf you think you may be owed Florida overtime
workers are increasing due to the prevalence ofpay, don't wait to consult with an attorney! The
all-night convenience stores and retail centers,FLSA only permits an employee to recover up to
supermarkets, etc. Overnight shift workers oftentwo years of unpaid back wages (possibly three
prompt the monitoring and/or enforcement ofyears if the employer's violation is found to be
the FLSA wage laws which mandate that anywilfull). You could be losing valuable time with
nonexempt employee be paid one-and-one-halfevery day that passes.
time their regular pay rate for hours workedIf you have a question or need information on
beyond a forty hours work week. This is due toSouth Florida overtime wage claims, contact
the common misconception that people who workFlorida overtime attorney Joseph M. Maus at
overnight shifts are always entitled to overtime1-866-556-5529 or email him today for a free
pay.consultation.. The Law Office of Joseph M. Maus
Consult a Florida overtime attorney if any of theand Associates has handled some of the largest
following apply to you and you are a non-exemptFlorida overtime wage claims. Attorneys in their
employee who works the overnight shift:offices were recently appointed in Federal Court
1. Combining work weeks - if you work moreas lead counsel in an Overtime Class Action
than 40 hours in a week, you should be paid foragainst a large Fortune 500 Company.
overtime in the week that you worked it, even if