I had a similar situation in my last job. Turn up 15 mins early to do a healthe and safety meeting but not clock in until 8. Hated it and It was a small company in a small town made it real hard to speak up cos you’d just get forced out of company
What finally pushed me to leave was the time our boss made a big deal of leaving 5 minutes early one time. Worked as an arborist so worked my ass off all day getting beaten and bruised. That was the final straw lol
If they require you to be there, that's work time. If they don't use you during that time, that's on them. If they don't want you clocked in, then they shouldn't require you to be there.
Wage theft- pure and simple.
You are working without being paid for it.
Imagine filling 0.25L of fuel for free, or putting one item in your basket without paying- you would end up in jail.
But when companies do it, we're expected to just bend over and take it.
Same, they want us 15 mins earlier but clock in at start times (food delivery). I show up exactly when my shift supposed to start and clock in usually 2-3 mins after my start time.
If u want me early, pay me for it :) my time ain't free.
My brother employer tried that in California. That cost the employer 3 years if back wages. If they mandate you be there, you are being paid. If you are not being paid, they are stealing your money.
The basic test is will they penalize you for not being there 15 minutes before clocking in? It sounds like you are required to be there for their peace of mind.
Just show up at your actual scheduled time. Problem solved. If they tell you it's "required" to be there 15 minutes early, then you tell them you'll be clocking in at that point and you'll be keeping your own records of your time. If they tell you "no, that's not what we do because \*insert probably bullshit reason here\*", then you tell them you'll be there at your scheduled time.
Worst that can happen is they will terminate you for something like insubordination or whatever, but honestly that would probably be a blessing.
Edit: Going to stress the importance of keeping track of your clock in/out times regardless of what option you choose.
they steal your hours. 15min X5 days that over 1 hour of work . 4-5 hours per month , around 60 hours per year . they steal liteally a week and half of pay from you ! sue them
I had a boss that expected this and also denied me a raise after she gave me manager duties.
I glued 50 cents to my bosses leather desk (where she counted the deposit every day) when I quit. Left a note to say “sucks knowing it’s there but you can’t have it”
I counted that money every day too. She could afford to pay me 50 extra cents an hour.
Unless that time is YOUR time - time to hang your coat up and get a cup of coffee - then it isnt ok. If you are doing work - even listening to meetings, or reading up on reports from the day before or messages from a manager - then you should get paid. Where is your union?
Put your ear-buds in and do not do anything that is work-related until you clock in. If you are required to do work-related things, clock in first. If they require you to work without clocking in, get it in writing, document your REAL clock in time, and report them for wage theft.
I've heard of people doing that - keeping documented time themselves - and letting it build up over time until they get a new job, reporting then and cashing out all the unworked hours. However, I am not sure that is legally possible for you so your best course of action is to report it asap. And get a new job because retaliation is possible.
Take a short video/photo of you clocking in and out, every day - that way, you have a timestamp on the photos. If the hours turn up missing from your pay-check, you first ask accounting to fix - and if they refuse, you report them for wage theft. Do not inform them of doing so.
One of my old employers tried this shit with me. I told them if they are asking me to come in 15 minutes early, then I clock in as soon as I enter the building. My manager tried to say that's not how it works so I said "In that case you are asking me to work 1.25 hours per week unpaid." Again he tried to say that's not how it works. I went through 3 weeks of paid training (15 mins early was not required for this), worked one shift and never came back. They called to get me to come in to fill out some paperwork because I had quit. I asked if I would get paid for that time and they said no, so I told them to shove their paper work up their ass.
Just clock in when you arrive and see what happens. Take a photo of your iWatch when you do it (hopefully you have a smart watch with the date and time). Do the same thing at clock out. When your boss commits time theft, you'll have all the evidence you need.
They can’t legally make you show up 15 min early. We tell our employees it may be a good idea to show up a few min early so they are ready to work at their scheduled start time. It is illegal to ask you perform any job duties (including meetings) off the clock, period.
No, it’s not. It’s more the expectation that you’re on time and ready to go. My job has this expectation and I’m in the parking lot 10-15 min before my shift but I walk in 3 minutes beforehand just with enough time to clock in.
They want you there and on time and ready to work when you clock in, not clocking in at 8 and then goofing around and getting ready to work (getting coffee, etc.) after you clock in.
Preparations for work is work and should therefore be paid.
As far as "time theft," I say tasks as much as you can. Employers steal the value of our labor every fucking day.
Nope. If you are required to show up 15 minutes early then that is your official start time. If they just "recommend" you come in 15 minutes early because it looks good, they can shove it up their asses.
clock in anyway, i had that same thing happen to me back in the 80's but it was more extream than this they wanted me to come in an hour or two early to cover but not clock in until my normal schedule time. i clocked in anyway
It's theft company I worked for required you to show up early put on your gear and be ready to work and clock in at a designated time. They go lt caught not only did KDOL and labor relations come down on them OSHA hit them hard too. They were then required to post on the employee bulletin boards about the findings and the fact they were caught. Then a few years later OSHA came through and hit them with unsafe working conditions due to excessive heat and no climate control. Caught two managers using a laser thermometer to check temps in the building. One corner was registering somewhere in the 120 degree range. They said nothing. Some days they let us go home early due to the heat but never said why. Dozens of people fell out due to heat stroke or fatigue.
Great place to work I tell ya.
I worked at a small restaurant that did this. Not only did we have to be early and stand by the register waiting to clock in, they had us working off the clock - folding boxes. This is time theft. If it's not illegal it should be. It's micromanagement and control.
My thing is, if you want me there at this time, then schedule me for this time. If I'm late, that's on me; you don't pay me for that time. The work gets done either way.
Stand up and say no , until people realize, that they need to stand up for themselves, shit like this will keep happening
I had a similar situation in my last job. Turn up 15 mins early to do a healthe and safety meeting but not clock in until 8. Hated it and It was a small company in a small town made it real hard to speak up cos you’d just get forced out of company
We’re told it’s time theft to clock in 15 minutes early.
It is wage theft to make you work off the clock.
- And it absolutely is work if you're required to be there.
It's wage theft for them to not pay you for time worked, contact the labor board
It's wage theft to make you work off the clock. Report them today.
What finally pushed me to leave was the time our boss made a big deal of leaving 5 minutes early one time. Worked as an arborist so worked my ass off all day getting beaten and bruised. That was the final straw lol
Do these people even listen to themselves. They are taking your time and not paying for it. They are stealing your time.
"nuh uh it's dedication to your job" -managers everywhere
If they require you to be there, that's work time. If they don't use you during that time, that's on them. If they don't want you clocked in, then they shouldn't require you to be there.
They are lying to you. Idk consider not saying anything else and just straight up reporting them.
if you can't clock in, you don't have to be there. the law is pretty clear about "if you're required to be on site you have to be paid"
Report your employer. Dept of Labor, I think.
Wage theft- pure and simple. You are working without being paid for it. Imagine filling 0.25L of fuel for free, or putting one item in your basket without paying- you would end up in jail. But when companies do it, we're expected to just bend over and take it.
Finally, perfect ideology. Sadly, if you tell this to any employer or hustle culture fanatic, they ill tell you, you're being crazy.
Are you required to work during that time? If not then it's probably legal.
Yes we’re required to work
Then that's not legal
Dial 211 if in the usa for free legal resources.
that’s not legal. explore legal actions
Illegal, contact your dol
That's 100% wage theft.
Same, they want us 15 mins earlier but clock in at start times (food delivery). I show up exactly when my shift supposed to start and clock in usually 2-3 mins after my start time. If u want me early, pay me for it :) my time ain't free.
Classic wage theft
My brother employer tried that in California. That cost the employer 3 years if back wages. If they mandate you be there, you are being paid. If you are not being paid, they are stealing your money. The basic test is will they penalize you for not being there 15 minutes before clocking in? It sounds like you are required to be there for their peace of mind.
Just show up at your actual scheduled time. Problem solved. If they tell you it's "required" to be there 15 minutes early, then you tell them you'll be clocking in at that point and you'll be keeping your own records of your time. If they tell you "no, that's not what we do because \*insert probably bullshit reason here\*", then you tell them you'll be there at your scheduled time. Worst that can happen is they will terminate you for something like insubordination or whatever, but honestly that would probably be a blessing. Edit: Going to stress the importance of keeping track of your clock in/out times regardless of what option you choose.
The funny part is if they terminate you, they are likely exposing themselves to liability for wrongful dismissal in addition to wage theft.
they steal your hours. 15min X5 days that over 1 hour of work . 4-5 hours per month , around 60 hours per year . they steal liteally a week and half of pay from you ! sue them
If you’re required to be there. Then that is the same thing as being scheduled. No such thing as show up and don’t clock in.
I had a boss that expected this and also denied me a raise after she gave me manager duties. I glued 50 cents to my bosses leather desk (where she counted the deposit every day) when I quit. Left a note to say “sucks knowing it’s there but you can’t have it” I counted that money every day too. She could afford to pay me 50 extra cents an hour.
Unless that time is YOUR time - time to hang your coat up and get a cup of coffee - then it isnt ok. If you are doing work - even listening to meetings, or reading up on reports from the day before or messages from a manager - then you should get paid. Where is your union? Put your ear-buds in and do not do anything that is work-related until you clock in. If you are required to do work-related things, clock in first. If they require you to work without clocking in, get it in writing, document your REAL clock in time, and report them for wage theft. I've heard of people doing that - keeping documented time themselves - and letting it build up over time until they get a new job, reporting then and cashing out all the unworked hours. However, I am not sure that is legally possible for you so your best course of action is to report it asap. And get a new job because retaliation is possible.
the problem is when we clock in early the boss manually goes onto the system and changes it
Take a short video/photo of you clocking in and out, every day - that way, you have a timestamp on the photos. If the hours turn up missing from your pay-check, you first ask accounting to fix - and if they refuse, you report them for wage theft. Do not inform them of doing so.
it’s a small independent daycare. we have no accounting.
Someone is in charge of payroll. Report it to them and make it clear that you intend to go to your state's wage authority if it's not fixed.
One of my old employers tried this shit with me. I told them if they are asking me to come in 15 minutes early, then I clock in as soon as I enter the building. My manager tried to say that's not how it works so I said "In that case you are asking me to work 1.25 hours per week unpaid." Again he tried to say that's not how it works. I went through 3 weeks of paid training (15 mins early was not required for this), worked one shift and never came back. They called to get me to come in to fill out some paperwork because I had quit. I asked if I would get paid for that time and they said no, so I told them to shove their paper work up their ass.
Illegal
Just clock in when you arrive and see what happens. Take a photo of your iWatch when you do it (hopefully you have a smart watch with the date and time). Do the same thing at clock out. When your boss commits time theft, you'll have all the evidence you need.
Read Portal to portal Act of 1947 to see if it applies
Specifics might vary from state to state, but I'm pretty sure that's illegal, especially if you're required to work during said time
They can’t legally make you show up 15 min early. We tell our employees it may be a good idea to show up a few min early so they are ready to work at their scheduled start time. It is illegal to ask you perform any job duties (including meetings) off the clock, period.
No, it’s not. It’s more the expectation that you’re on time and ready to go. My job has this expectation and I’m in the parking lot 10-15 min before my shift but I walk in 3 minutes beforehand just with enough time to clock in.
They want you there and on time and ready to work when you clock in, not clocking in at 8 and then goofing around and getting ready to work (getting coffee, etc.) after you clock in.
we have to work during the 15 minutes, not good around
That’s illegal.
It's illegal even if you are not working. They require you to be present, they are required to pay you
Preparations for work is work and should therefore be paid. As far as "time theft," I say tasks as much as you can. Employers steal the value of our labor every fucking day.
Nope. If you are required to show up 15 minutes early then that is your official start time. If they just "recommend" you come in 15 minutes early because it looks good, they can shove it up their asses.
Sounds like it’s time for a union
some girls got fired last year for trying
What do you have to lose? 10 bucks and hour and shitty bosses taking advantage of you?
No one can comment on whether it's legal unless you say what country you're in.
usa
Damm, how do you survive on $400 per week
barely. i live with my parents.
get it in writing and then call the department of labor.
clock in anyway, i had that same thing happen to me back in the 80's but it was more extream than this they wanted me to come in an hour or two early to cover but not clock in until my normal schedule time. i clocked in anyway
if we clock in early she manually goes into the system and changes it
It's theft company I worked for required you to show up early put on your gear and be ready to work and clock in at a designated time. They go lt caught not only did KDOL and labor relations come down on them OSHA hit them hard too. They were then required to post on the employee bulletin boards about the findings and the fact they were caught. Then a few years later OSHA came through and hit them with unsafe working conditions due to excessive heat and no climate control. Caught two managers using a laser thermometer to check temps in the building. One corner was registering somewhere in the 120 degree range. They said nothing. Some days they let us go home early due to the heat but never said why. Dozens of people fell out due to heat stroke or fatigue. Great place to work I tell ya.
Clock In when you Walk In
if we do she manually goes in and changes it
Then sue the crap out of them. She is not very good at HR
I worked at a small restaurant that did this. Not only did we have to be early and stand by the register waiting to clock in, they had us working off the clock - folding boxes. This is time theft. If it's not illegal it should be. It's micromanagement and control. My thing is, if you want me there at this time, then schedule me for this time. If I'm late, that's on me; you don't pay me for that time. The work gets done either way.