Your workweeks may seem to last forever, especially as the year comes to a close. With the holiday season in full swing, you may work overtime. Your boss may even need you to come in during a holiday. You could have some questions about the rate of pay you deserve as you work harder.
It is crucial to have an understanding of Florida labor laws so you know how much your employer should pay you. Here are some facts you should know about working in Florida during the holiday season.
Holiday pay requirements
There is no law that requires private employers to give employees premium pay for working on a holiday. Therefore, just because you work on Thanksgiving or Christmas does not obligate your employer to pay you more. However, there may be something in company policies or your employment contract that entitles you to a higher pay rate for working on a holiday. Always double-check these documents to make sure you do not lose out on wages. Many private employers decide to provide special holiday pay. Additionally, government workers must get holidays as paid days off.
Overtime pay requirements
If you work in excess of 40 hours per week, you generally deserve overtime pay, which is one-and-a-half times your regular pay. However, the following types of employees are exempt from overtime entitlement:
- Outside sales
- Most truck drivers
- Most railroad workers
- Supervisors whose primary duty is management
It can be confusing to know whether you are exempt. Even if you deserve overtime, your employer may attempt to not properly compensate you. Failure to pay overtime is a violation of federal law.
Reporting wage and hour violations
If you are not receiving the wages you deserve, you may need to take legal action. Consider reporting this type of violation to the U.S. Department of Labor.
