Overtime Rates in Massachusetts
Understanding overtime pay is crucial for employees in Massachusetts, where state laws offer strong protections to ensure fair compensation. Whether you’re working extra hours to meet deadlines or covering additional shifts, you deserve to be paid correctly. Employers must comply with both state and federal laws when determining overtime pay, and failure to do so may result in wage violations.
At Gordon Law Group LLP, we help workers fight for their rights and recover unpaid wages. If you’re unsure whether you’re being compensated fairly for overtime, here’s what you need to know about overtime rates in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Overtime Law and Employee Protections
- Massachusetts follows the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state-specific regulations to determine overtime pay.
- Employees who work more than 40 hours per week are entitled to overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for each extra hour worked.
- Some exceptions apply, but most hourly employees qualify for overtime compensation, and employers cannot withhold these wages without violating state laws. For more details on federal overtime laws, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.
Who Is Eligible for Overtime Pay?
- Hourly Employees: Most hourly workers are eligible for overtime pay if they exceed 40 hours in a workweek.
- Salaried Non-Exempt Employees: Some salaried employees are also entitled to overtime, depending on their job duties and salary level.
- Retail and Hospitality Workers: Massachusetts’ Blue Laws provide additional protections for workers in retail businesses, including premium pay for certain holidays.
- Healthcare and Domestic Workers: Certain healthcare and in-home care employees have specific overtime rules under Massachusetts labor laws.
Who Is Exempt from Overtime?
- Executive, Administrative, and Professional Employees: If you earn a salary above a specific threshold and perform certain job duties, you may be classified as exempt from overtime pay.
- Independent Contractors: Contractors are generally not entitled to overtime, but misclassification is common. If you believe you’ve been wrongly labeled as an independent contractor, you may still have a claim.
- Certain Seasonal and Agricultural Workers: Some industries have exemptions, particularly for seasonal employees and farm laborers.
If you think your employer has wrongly denied you overtime pay, you may have grounds for legal action under Massachusetts wage laws.
Common Overtime Violations in Massachusetts
- Failure to Pay Proper Overtime Rates – Employers must calculate overtime pay based on an employee’s total compensation, including bonuses and commissions.
- Requiring Off-the-Clock Work – Employees must be paid for all hours worked. Employers cannot ask workers to perform tasks before or after their scheduled shifts without pay.
- Misclassifying Employees as Exempt – Some employers misclassify employees to avoid paying overtime. If your job duties do not meet exemption criteria, you may be owed back wages.
- Delayed or Withheld Overtime Payments – Massachusetts law requires timely payment of wages, including overtime. If your employer delays or refuses to pay, they may be violating the Massachusetts Wage Act.
How to Recover Unpaid Overtime Wages
- Review Your Pay Stubs – Check whether your employer is paying overtime correctly. Compare your hours worked against what you were paid.
- Document Your Work Hours – Keep records of your schedule, including hours worked beyond 40 per week. If your employer disputes your claims, written records will strengthen your case.
- File a Wage Complaint – Employees in Massachusetts can file a wage complaint with the Attorney General’s Office before pursuing legal action.
- Consult an Employment Attorney – If your employer refuses to pay overtime wages, an employment attorney can help you recover unpaid wages, penalties, and legal fees.
For additional information on overtime protections, visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for workplace rights enforcement.
How Gordon Law Group LLP Can Help
Unpaid overtime is a serious violation of Massachusetts wage laws. If your employer has failed to pay you for overtime hours, Gordon Law Group LLP is here to help. We specialize in wage and hour disputes, ensuring employees receive the compensation they rightfully earned.
- Legal Guidance: We will evaluate your case, review your work records, and determine if your employer has violated overtime laws.
- Filing Wage Complaints: If necessary, we will assist you in filing a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
- Litigation Support: If your employer refuses to pay what you’re owed, we will take legal action to recover your unpaid wages and treble damages (triple the amount owed).
Contact Gordon Law Group LLP today at (800) 403-7755 or visit www.gordonllp.com for expert legal support. To schedule a consultation, visit our contact page.
You work hard—don’t let your employer deny you the pay you’ve earned. Let Gordon Law Group LLP fight for your rights.