Wages for time not worked

On Behalf of | Feb 19, 2015 | Wage And Hour Laws |

Indiana employees may be familiar with work-related issues such as breaks, but they may be less familiar with special cases in which pay may be required for time that does not involve actual work. Some specific situations may be covered by federal law, ensuring that employees are compensated for time that is controlled by an employer even if work is not involved.

Those who work 24-hour shifts, for example, may be compensated for sleep that occurs during such a time frame. This time is typically designated so that an employee is allowed an eight-hour rest period. During shifts that are less than a full 24-hour period, compensation for a full shift is guaranteed even if there is time devoted to sleeping. With shifts that exceed 24 hours, an employee is not compensated for sleep time if sleeping quarters are provided and a rest period of at least eight hours is afforded to the employee. Employees should also be compensated for time spent on call.

An employee may be compensated for travel time in the context of work-related activities. Commuting to and from work is not normally compensated, but traveling to a different reporting location than normal might be eligible for compensation. Additionally, some employers will provide compensation for education through special training, college courses or workshops related to a job. In such cases, related travel expenses may also be eligible for compensation.

An employee who believes that they have been paid less than owed for extended shifts involving sleeping time might worry about complaining to their human resources department because of potential backlash from superiors. However, it may be helpful to review the times worked with an objective party to ensure that the related wage laws and conditions are clearly understood. If a pattern of incorrect payments over a period of time is identified, it may be possible to file a formal complaint.

Archives

FindLaw Network