When can employers legally ask employees to work off the clock?

Under California Wage and Hour Law, employers cannot legally ask employees to work off the clock. Instead, employees must be paid for all hours they work. Working off the clock is considered illegal and a violation of this law. Employers are required to record all hours worked. Even if an employee is only working for a brief period of time, that time must still be recorded and paid for. Employees should also be aware that just because they are not “on the clock” doesn’t mean they should not be paid for their work. If an employer is asking an employee to complete a task, such as responding to a customer inquiry, they should be paid for that time. Employers may only ask employees to work off the clock if the employee is participating in a volunteer program, is attending a training seminar, or if the employee is taking part in a religious observance. All of these activities must be done voluntarily and the employee must not be compensated in any way for their work. In summary, employers are not allowed to ask employees to work off the clock. If an employer is found to be in violation of this law, they may be subject to a fine or other penalty. Employees should be aware of their rights and make sure they are compensated for their time.

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When can employers legally ask employees to work off the clock?

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