Coming into work a little early or having to stay a little late now and then usually is not a problem for most workers. It is common for any hours that exceed a 40-hour workweek to result in overtime pay for qualifying employees, which most appreciate. However, having to work off the clock often and having to contend with unpaid overtime can lead to serious problems for workers.
Michigan readers may be interested in multiple lawsuits filed in federal court in another state involving AT&T and at least 19 employees. According to reports, workers with the telecommunications company’s call center claim that they commonly carried out work-related duties before their scheduled shift started or after their shift ended. Some even stated that they worked during their meal breaks. Because calls can last anywhere between 5 to 30 minutes on average, some workers have to continue calls even after their shifts end because they are prohibited from ending the call early.
The workers claim that they did not receive overtime pay for the work performed before or after shift or during meal breaks. One lawsuit indicates that the workers are owed overtime pay for at least one hour a week, if not more. The report noted that a class action lawsuit had been filed against the company last year, but just months ago it was decertified. Nonetheless, the plaintiffs intend to pursue legal action individually.
Unpaid overtime can result in workers in Michigan and across the country being cheated out of earned income. If qualifying workers believe that they have not received the proper compensation for overtime hours worked, they may want to explore their options for pursuing that pay. In some cases, as this situation shows, it may be necessary to take legal action.