FLSA Overtime Rules: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn if you are entitled to extra pay for working more than 40 hours a week and how the overtime rate is calculated.
These rules ensure that hourly workers receive extra compensation when they work more than the standard 40-hour workweek.
Who it's for
This applies to non-exempt hourly employees who work more than 40 hours in a single week.
What you get
If you work more than 40 hours in a week, you are entitled to "time and a half." This means you receive 1.5x your regular pay rate for every hour worked beyond the 40-hour mark.
What it costs you
There is no cost to you to access this right; it is a legal requirement for your employer to follow.
The catch to know
Employers are not allowed to "average" your hours over a two-week period to avoid paying overtime. For example, if you work 50 hours one week and 30 hours the next, your employer cannot claim you only worked 40 hours on average to avoid paying you for those extra 10 hours.
How to apply
- Track your total hours worked each week carefully.
- Compare your weekly totals against the 40-hour threshold.
- Review your pay stub to ensure the 1.5x rate is applied to overtime hours.
- Contact the official portal if you believe you are being underpaid: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime