Trying the most complex issues
for over 30 years.

Trying the most complex issues for over 30 years.

When do I need to pay my employees overtime?

On Behalf of | May 3, 2021 | Employment Litigation

The needs of your business are not always predictable. No matter what industry you are in, there are times when you need more help from your staff than others.

While your employees may be excited for extra pay for a short time, having your staff work a lot of overtime can be draining both for them and your company’s wallet. At some point, you may need to inform your employees that they may need to seek authorization for overtime.

Here’s what you should know about employee overtime and when you need to pay it.

What are the Colorado standards for overtime?

The rules for each state tend to be different when it comes to overtime. In Colorado, it is not a simple rule of “over 40 hours in one workweek.” Colorado has a few additional guidelines, such as:

  • Daily overtime if hours worked are over 12 (even if the employee does not work more than 40 hours in the week)
  • 80 hours per 14 days limit for hospital and nursing home employees

Remember, some industries have exceptions to the standard rules, like commissioned employees and those who work in the skiing industry.

If overtime is not authorized, do I still need to pay it?

Once an employee works the hours, the damage is done, and you need to pay for the employee’s work. Refusing to pay employees for their overtime hours could lead to a problematic situation.

If you are making a change in your overtime policy, you should consider having specific instructions for your employees regarding overtime approval procedures. When employees

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