Retail Representatives and Unpaid Overtime Law

Failure to count compensable time (i.e. off-the-clock work, at-home work) as hours worked may deprive a retail representative of proper wages and can result in a loss of overtime pay.

Under federal overtime law, employees must be compensated for all hours worked. “Work time” is defined as all efforts that are suffered, permitted or required by the employer to be performed. This includes time spent performing tasks for the benefit of the employer on the employer’s premises, away from the worksite or at home. When an employee’s work time is not calculated properly, they will receive less than what is actually owed and may suffer a loss in overtime wages.

Are you being paid for all your job-related tasks? Time spent waiting for work, booting up computers, donning uniforms or performing work at home is considered compensable work time. Fill out our free case review form today to find out if you are being properly compensated for your work-related activities.

Wage and Hour Lawsuits: Retail Representatives

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. has settled three consolidated wage and hour class actions filed by retail representatives who accused their employer of shorting pay for time spent driving. According to the lawsuit, the cigarette maker shortchanged its retail representatives for drive time between visits to outlets that carry Reynolds’ products. The wage and hour lawsuit also alleged that the company refused to pay overtime wages.

Two similar lawsuits were consolidated with this employment lawsuit accusing the tobacco company of failing to pay overtime wages. According to the retail representatives named in the unpaid overtime case, employees were forced to choose between three options:

• Not work overtime and fail to complete their job responsibilities
• Work overtime and not report it, violating company policy
• Work overtime, report the hours and get disciplined

If you have been subjected to similar wage and hour violations as a retail representative, contact an overtime attorney today to learn your legal rights.

Overtime Lawyers for Retail Representatives

Retail representatives who were denied overtime pay or forced to work off the clock may be entitled to recover back pay through an unpaid overtime lawsuit. Although each case varies, successful overtime lawsuits can award the plaintiff with up to three years of unpaid overtime, as well as an equal amount in liquidated damages and compensation for attorneys’ fees. An employer is prohibited by law from retaliating against employees who exercise their legal rights, so do not hesitate to contact our overtime attorneys for a free legal consultation.