MASSACHUSETTS OVERTIME LAWS
In Massachusetts, there are laws that guarantee most employees to overtime pay or “time and a half.” Under Massachusetts Law, unless otherwise exempt, employers are required to pay employees overtime at a rate of 1.5 times their regular rate if the employee works more than 40 hours during the workweek.
Am I Entitled to Overtime Pay?
In Massachusetts, if an employee is required or permitted to work overtime, the employer is generally required to pay the employee premium pay for the hours worked overtime. “Overtime” is considered to be hours that are worked more than 40 hours during the workweek. For example, if an employee works 45 hours during a workweek at a rate of $10 per hour, he or she would be entitled to $15 per hour for the five hours worked more than 40. If an employer does not pay its employees “time and a half” for overtime work, there is a good chance that the employer is in violation of the law and that its employees are thus entitled to damages. In some cases, the employee may be entitled to treble damages, which means that he or she could recover from the employer three times the total amount of actual damages. For example, if an employee is owed $5,000 in unpaid overtime, he or she could recover $15,000 in court.
Exceptions to the Overtime Rule
There are some exceptions to Massachusetts overtime laws. Notable exceptions include, for example, employees who work in sales or restaurants. Furthermore, overtime laws generally do not apply to employees whose work tasks are primarily characterized as administrative. Moreover, salaried employees with jobs that require specialized skills and knowledge are typically not entitled to overtime pay. To learn whether you qualify for overtime or are exempt, it is advised that you consult with an attorney.
How Can the Law Office of Thomas R. Davis Help You?
Because there are many necessary legal steps that must be taken to protect your rights – such as the statute of limitations, important administrative actions, etc. – if you suspect that your employer has not paid you overtime that you are entitled to, it may be in your best interest to contact an attorney to learn more about the options available to ensure that your rights are protected.
If your goal is to get what you are entitled to, having a strong advocate by your side – one with your best interests in mind always – is imperative. Our law office is dedicated to helping workers who have been wronged, and we are available to help you through every step of this process.
If you believe that you have been denied overtime compensation, or if you have any other questions regarding your rights as an employee, call us any time at (617) 319-0885 for a free, no obligation attorney consultation.
We take most employment law cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you only pay us if we collect for you. We are here to provide you with the quality representation that you deserve.
