Federal law requires businesses to abide by certain standards in paying employees hourly and overtime wages. Many of these requirements are governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Among other things, the FLSA requires employers to pay their employees for all hours worked and for overtime hours.
An employer may violate the FLSA if they do not compensate an employee for all hours worked. For example, an employer may require an hourly employee to perform work after they have clocked out for the day. In this circumstance, the FLSA may require that the employer compensate the employee for his or her time. If your employer has not compensated you for worked you performed “off the clock” then you may be entitled to compensation under the FLSA.