In many workplaces, employees are expected to show up early—sometimes as much as 15 minutes before their scheduled start time. But when this early arrival is required by the employer, it raises an important legal question: Should you be getting paid for that time? If you’re consistently working off the clock, you may be entitled to overtime compensation under New Jersey and federal law.
When Early Arrival Counts as Work
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New Jersey’s Wage and Hour Law require that employees be paid for all hours worked. If your employer requires you to be at your desk, workstation, or job site early to prep, open systems, or attend meetings, that time is likely compensable—even if it’s only a few minutes each day.
Over time, those unpaid minutes can add up. For example, 15 extra minutes per day equals over an hour per week. That’s more than 50 hours per year—potentially enough to tip you into overtime territory if you’re already working close to 40 hours a week.
What Does the Law Say?
Under both federal and New Jersey law, you are entitled to be paid for all compensable time—including time spent performing duties before or after your scheduled hours if they are part of the job. This includes:
- Booting up computers or logging into work systems
- Setting up equipment or machinery
- Mandatory pre-shift meetings
- Security screenings required by your employer
If your employer requires you to be on-site early but refuses to compensate you for it, that could be a violation of wage and hour laws.
What You Can Do
If you suspect you’re not being paid fairly for all the time you work, consider the following steps:
- Track your time. Maintain personal records of your start and end times each day.
- Compare with your pay stubs. Look for discrepancies between your actual hours and what you’ve been paid.
- Speak to a wage and hour Tenant rights attorney Los Angeles. An experienced employment lawyer can determine whether you’re entitled to back pay or overtime.
We Can Help
At NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC, we’ve helped countless employees across New Jersey recover unpaid wages and overtime. If you’re consistently working off the clock—even just 10 or 15 minutes per day—you may have a valid claim. We can help you calculate what you’re owed and fight to recover it.
If you’re unsure about your rights regarding early arrival, overtime, or wage laws in New Jersey, don’t wait to get answers. Our attorneys will review your situation and explain your legal options clearly and honestly.
Contact NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC
101 Eisenhower Pkwy #300
Roseland, NJ 07068
Phone: (973) 358-7027