Workers in California have protections that are set by state law that aren’t present in other states. One of these is that employers must pay employees for all time worked, even if it’s just a few minutes. The standard is set by wage and hour laws and court rulings that emphasize strict compliance.
Time worked includes any time when an employee is under the employer’s control or is performing any of their work duties, including things like answering the phone or greeting customers. This includes more than just their scheduled shift. For example, employers must pay employees for undergoing required security checks, closing down workstations after their shift, or logging into the computer system. Even seemingly minor tasks could take only a couple of minutes, but those add up and must be recorded.
Rounding down time is never permissible
Some states allow employers to use rounding practices for tracking hours. This means that an employee will lose minutes sometimes and gain minutes other times. Employers in California can never disregard minutes. This approach favors precision and ensures that workers receive their full pay for the exact time they contribute to the employer.
Employees should keep track of the time that they spend working. This might be done by writing down the exact time of clocking in and out, but it may also be handled by getting printed copies of the time slips.
If there are any discrepancies regarding unpaid working time, the employee can opt to pursue legal action to recover the pay they’re due for the time they weren’t paid. This is often a complex matter, so they may benefit from having assistance.