Are employees owed overtime for checking and answering email after hours?

Technology is a double-edged sword. It allows us to work remotely and to have greater flexibility as to where and when we work, but the freedom it affords can also be a burden. When you can work from anywhere, and at any time, it often feels like you should be doing so!

Studies suggest people are caving under the pressure – whether explicit or implicit – to work while technically off the clock. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 44% of Internet users regularly perform some job tasks outside the workplace.

All the work that is being done outside of work hours is creating a compliance problem for many businesses. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to compensate employees that are not exempt from the law for all time worked. These non-exempt employees must all be paid time and a half for all hours worked over 40 per week. This means that employees need to be paid (at overtime rates if applicable) for time spent checking and responding to emails, calls, texts, etc. during non-work hours.

In order to remain FLSA compliant in this technology-driven age, we advise our clients to take the following steps.

Develop a Timekeeping Policy that is Compliant with the FLSA

Explicitly tell your non-exempt employees, preferably in writing, whether or not they are allowed or required to work during non-work hours.  Make it clear that “working” includes checking emails and taking phone calls.

Implement the Timekeeping Policy

A policy is not worth the paper it is printed on if it is not actually implemented. Make it easy for employees to report their off-the-clock work, and discipline employees who do not report their off-the-clock time.

Enforce the Timekeeping Policy

When off-the-clock time is reported, pay your employees for it. Be clear about how much, if any, off-the-clock time employees are expected to work, and do not be afraid to discipline employees who do not comply with expectations.

If you have any questions about paying employees for work done off-the-clock or any other business related issue, contact an experienced business law attorney today.