During a time when many people are facing financial strain, people are often looking for more ways to make ends meet. While some people are taking on two or even three jobs to increase their income, some employees are earning more at their current jobs by working more hours.
Hard work should be rewarded, especially when employees spend extra time away from their home life working for their employers. Employees may be entitled to overtime pay when they work extra hours. Here is what you should know:
Calculating your overtime wages
In Illinois, many employees are entitled to overtime pay. Overtime pay is additional wages given to an employee when they work more than 40 hours per week.
When an employee works more than 40 hours in a workweek, they can earn one and one-half times their regular wages for every additional hour. In other words, if an employee earns $20 an hour and works 41 hours in a workweek, then they can earn an additional $10 for that extra hour, adding up to $30 for every extra hour.
Not all employees, however, are eligible for overtime pay. In some cases, dealership salesmen, agricultural labor, independent contractors, administrative employees, computer experts and other professionals cannot receive overtime pay. While not eligible for overtime wages, these employees may be entitled to a minimum salary level.
While working overtime may seem appealing to employees, the amount of overtime employees could make is often limited under the One Day Rest in Seven Act. This act requires employees to take at least 24 consecutive hours off work in a calendar week.
Learning more about overtime pay can help employees understand their legal rights. Professional legal guidance can help employees receive withheld overtime pay.
