How to protect myself from a manager potentially playing with verbally assured comp time as a contractor?

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This will require some background. I am an hourly contractor working on an HRIS migration for a small company. When I interviewed, I told the the VP and my eventual boss that the timeline was unrealistic without a bunch of overtime worked for what they were attempting. I was brought on to do the job and over the next few weeks continually stressed that I would need more time than 40 hours per week to finish but they were unwilling to pay any overtime. Three weeks prior to my go live, I had another conversation with my boss where I stated that I had 200 hours worth of work in 120 hours worth of time that they were willing to pay. He proposed that if I could get the work done in time, that he would 'take care of me' by giving me some time off after go live. I agreed.



Fast forward, go live went great for my development aspects. I was asked to continue working on additional projects and was not very concerned about the six days of comp time from my work prior to going live. Until last Thursday that is. My manager brought me in and explained that even though they were pleased with my work, they did not have the money to continue paying me after September. I was pretty shocked as my integration work was well received across the organization and fully expected to be offered a permanent position. After getting over my shock and updating my resume, I decided to cover my bases with the days off that were promised. I emailed my boss and asked about the time off. He was good enough to respond and mention the comp time. I forwarded that email to my home account just to be safe. He asked for a face-to-face meeting to discuss further.



I met with my boss and decided it would be a good idea to record the conversation (legal in my state in the US as long as one person knows it is happening). He recalled the conversation in which he promised the days off and we even came up with a plan for this time off to occur over the next month where I would act like I am 'working from home'. This is all a little shady to me but at this point with only one month to go, I really only care about what was promised me which leads to my question. Is there anything else I can do to further protect myself from this guy potentially trying to not give me my comp time off?



Please note that I am not necessarily worried about missed overtime money as my contract agency does not pay anything additional. Also note that my intent with the steps I have taken to this point is in no way to blackmail him into giving me my time off but if push comes to shove I would send the information to the department of labor and make a complaint against the company.







share|improve this question






















  • I think the 'banked' hours you are referring to would more commonly be known as comp time in the USA. Verbal only comp time is almost impossible to enforce, or complain about, but it seems you covered your ass by recording him. Be sure the laws involving recording conversations apply to private property as well, as it may differ from recording convo's in a public place.
    – GOATNine
    Aug 30 at 15:52
















up vote
1
down vote

favorite












This will require some background. I am an hourly contractor working on an HRIS migration for a small company. When I interviewed, I told the the VP and my eventual boss that the timeline was unrealistic without a bunch of overtime worked for what they were attempting. I was brought on to do the job and over the next few weeks continually stressed that I would need more time than 40 hours per week to finish but they were unwilling to pay any overtime. Three weeks prior to my go live, I had another conversation with my boss where I stated that I had 200 hours worth of work in 120 hours worth of time that they were willing to pay. He proposed that if I could get the work done in time, that he would 'take care of me' by giving me some time off after go live. I agreed.



Fast forward, go live went great for my development aspects. I was asked to continue working on additional projects and was not very concerned about the six days of comp time from my work prior to going live. Until last Thursday that is. My manager brought me in and explained that even though they were pleased with my work, they did not have the money to continue paying me after September. I was pretty shocked as my integration work was well received across the organization and fully expected to be offered a permanent position. After getting over my shock and updating my resume, I decided to cover my bases with the days off that were promised. I emailed my boss and asked about the time off. He was good enough to respond and mention the comp time. I forwarded that email to my home account just to be safe. He asked for a face-to-face meeting to discuss further.



I met with my boss and decided it would be a good idea to record the conversation (legal in my state in the US as long as one person knows it is happening). He recalled the conversation in which he promised the days off and we even came up with a plan for this time off to occur over the next month where I would act like I am 'working from home'. This is all a little shady to me but at this point with only one month to go, I really only care about what was promised me which leads to my question. Is there anything else I can do to further protect myself from this guy potentially trying to not give me my comp time off?



Please note that I am not necessarily worried about missed overtime money as my contract agency does not pay anything additional. Also note that my intent with the steps I have taken to this point is in no way to blackmail him into giving me my time off but if push comes to shove I would send the information to the department of labor and make a complaint against the company.







share|improve this question






















  • I think the 'banked' hours you are referring to would more commonly be known as comp time in the USA. Verbal only comp time is almost impossible to enforce, or complain about, but it seems you covered your ass by recording him. Be sure the laws involving recording conversations apply to private property as well, as it may differ from recording convo's in a public place.
    – GOATNine
    Aug 30 at 15:52












up vote
1
down vote

favorite









up vote
1
down vote

favorite











This will require some background. I am an hourly contractor working on an HRIS migration for a small company. When I interviewed, I told the the VP and my eventual boss that the timeline was unrealistic without a bunch of overtime worked for what they were attempting. I was brought on to do the job and over the next few weeks continually stressed that I would need more time than 40 hours per week to finish but they were unwilling to pay any overtime. Three weeks prior to my go live, I had another conversation with my boss where I stated that I had 200 hours worth of work in 120 hours worth of time that they were willing to pay. He proposed that if I could get the work done in time, that he would 'take care of me' by giving me some time off after go live. I agreed.



Fast forward, go live went great for my development aspects. I was asked to continue working on additional projects and was not very concerned about the six days of comp time from my work prior to going live. Until last Thursday that is. My manager brought me in and explained that even though they were pleased with my work, they did not have the money to continue paying me after September. I was pretty shocked as my integration work was well received across the organization and fully expected to be offered a permanent position. After getting over my shock and updating my resume, I decided to cover my bases with the days off that were promised. I emailed my boss and asked about the time off. He was good enough to respond and mention the comp time. I forwarded that email to my home account just to be safe. He asked for a face-to-face meeting to discuss further.



I met with my boss and decided it would be a good idea to record the conversation (legal in my state in the US as long as one person knows it is happening). He recalled the conversation in which he promised the days off and we even came up with a plan for this time off to occur over the next month where I would act like I am 'working from home'. This is all a little shady to me but at this point with only one month to go, I really only care about what was promised me which leads to my question. Is there anything else I can do to further protect myself from this guy potentially trying to not give me my comp time off?



Please note that I am not necessarily worried about missed overtime money as my contract agency does not pay anything additional. Also note that my intent with the steps I have taken to this point is in no way to blackmail him into giving me my time off but if push comes to shove I would send the information to the department of labor and make a complaint against the company.







share|improve this question














This will require some background. I am an hourly contractor working on an HRIS migration for a small company. When I interviewed, I told the the VP and my eventual boss that the timeline was unrealistic without a bunch of overtime worked for what they were attempting. I was brought on to do the job and over the next few weeks continually stressed that I would need more time than 40 hours per week to finish but they were unwilling to pay any overtime. Three weeks prior to my go live, I had another conversation with my boss where I stated that I had 200 hours worth of work in 120 hours worth of time that they were willing to pay. He proposed that if I could get the work done in time, that he would 'take care of me' by giving me some time off after go live. I agreed.



Fast forward, go live went great for my development aspects. I was asked to continue working on additional projects and was not very concerned about the six days of comp time from my work prior to going live. Until last Thursday that is. My manager brought me in and explained that even though they were pleased with my work, they did not have the money to continue paying me after September. I was pretty shocked as my integration work was well received across the organization and fully expected to be offered a permanent position. After getting over my shock and updating my resume, I decided to cover my bases with the days off that were promised. I emailed my boss and asked about the time off. He was good enough to respond and mention the comp time. I forwarded that email to my home account just to be safe. He asked for a face-to-face meeting to discuss further.



I met with my boss and decided it would be a good idea to record the conversation (legal in my state in the US as long as one person knows it is happening). He recalled the conversation in which he promised the days off and we even came up with a plan for this time off to occur over the next month where I would act like I am 'working from home'. This is all a little shady to me but at this point with only one month to go, I really only care about what was promised me which leads to my question. Is there anything else I can do to further protect myself from this guy potentially trying to not give me my comp time off?



Please note that I am not necessarily worried about missed overtime money as my contract agency does not pay anything additional. Also note that my intent with the steps I have taken to this point is in no way to blackmail him into giving me my time off but if push comes to shove I would send the information to the department of labor and make a complaint against the company.









share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Aug 30 at 15:55









GOATNine

3,0742826




3,0742826










asked Aug 30 at 15:22









SDH

24817




24817











  • I think the 'banked' hours you are referring to would more commonly be known as comp time in the USA. Verbal only comp time is almost impossible to enforce, or complain about, but it seems you covered your ass by recording him. Be sure the laws involving recording conversations apply to private property as well, as it may differ from recording convo's in a public place.
    – GOATNine
    Aug 30 at 15:52
















  • I think the 'banked' hours you are referring to would more commonly be known as comp time in the USA. Verbal only comp time is almost impossible to enforce, or complain about, but it seems you covered your ass by recording him. Be sure the laws involving recording conversations apply to private property as well, as it may differ from recording convo's in a public place.
    – GOATNine
    Aug 30 at 15:52















I think the 'banked' hours you are referring to would more commonly be known as comp time in the USA. Verbal only comp time is almost impossible to enforce, or complain about, but it seems you covered your ass by recording him. Be sure the laws involving recording conversations apply to private property as well, as it may differ from recording convo's in a public place.
– GOATNine
Aug 30 at 15:52




I think the 'banked' hours you are referring to would more commonly be known as comp time in the USA. Verbal only comp time is almost impossible to enforce, or complain about, but it seems you covered your ass by recording him. Be sure the laws involving recording conversations apply to private property as well, as it may differ from recording convo's in a public place.
– GOATNine
Aug 30 at 15:52










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
6
down vote



accepted










In the future, DO NOT WORK OFF THE CLOCK. This is illegal for your employer in the United States, other areas may vary. As an hourly employee you are entitled to be paid for every hour you work. Period.



The company also opened themselves up to potential wage theft claim by you. It was not a good move by your boss either.



While this may be 'common', it is not legal or ethical.



Now, this is not true for salaried/exempt employees and giving 'comp time' is fairly typical in that case.



Edited to clarify only employer is breaking the law: Section 29, part 785 of the code of fedaral regulations defines work and how it should be compensated.



Notes from Part 785 that may apply.




The United States Supreme Court originally stated that employees
subject to the act must be paid for all time spent in “physical or
mental exertion (whether burdensome or not) controlled or required by
the employer and pursued necessarily and primarily for the benefit of
the employer and his business.”
Section 785.7



In all such cases it is the duty of the management to exercise its
control and see that the work is not performed if it does not want it
to be performed. It cannot sit back and accept the benefits without
compensating for them. The mere promulgation of a rule against such
work is not enough. Management has the power to enforce the rule and
must make every effort to do so.
Section 785.13




It's a long boring government document, so maybe the employee could not be held accountable for not reporting time, but the company certainly is breaking the law here and the OP would have a pretty solid case to be compensated if he has documentation of the hours worked. Exempt status only applies to exempt from overtime rules, not exempt from being paid.






share|improve this answer





























    up vote
    0
    down vote














    "[...]he promised the days off and we even came up with a plan for this time off to occur over the next month [...]"




    This sounds like he basically agreed to paid holiday for the banked overtime.



    Your contract will expire after september




    "[...] they did not have the money to continue paying me after September[...]




    and the last payment should include your 6 days "holiday" accumulated from overtime.



    I don't see anything shady or unusual with this. In fact it is quite common.



    The only potential source for problems is that there is a third party involved (your contract agency) and how the company you worked at are going to declare these days off ("you 'working' from home").



    Without knowing who has what kinds of contracts with whom in this triangle, it is hard to get further into details and potential pitfalls.



    Legal advice would be prudent if you want to be very sure.






    share|improve this answer




















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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      6
      down vote



      accepted










      In the future, DO NOT WORK OFF THE CLOCK. This is illegal for your employer in the United States, other areas may vary. As an hourly employee you are entitled to be paid for every hour you work. Period.



      The company also opened themselves up to potential wage theft claim by you. It was not a good move by your boss either.



      While this may be 'common', it is not legal or ethical.



      Now, this is not true for salaried/exempt employees and giving 'comp time' is fairly typical in that case.



      Edited to clarify only employer is breaking the law: Section 29, part 785 of the code of fedaral regulations defines work and how it should be compensated.



      Notes from Part 785 that may apply.




      The United States Supreme Court originally stated that employees
      subject to the act must be paid for all time spent in “physical or
      mental exertion (whether burdensome or not) controlled or required by
      the employer and pursued necessarily and primarily for the benefit of
      the employer and his business.”
      Section 785.7



      In all such cases it is the duty of the management to exercise its
      control and see that the work is not performed if it does not want it
      to be performed. It cannot sit back and accept the benefits without
      compensating for them. The mere promulgation of a rule against such
      work is not enough. Management has the power to enforce the rule and
      must make every effort to do so.
      Section 785.13




      It's a long boring government document, so maybe the employee could not be held accountable for not reporting time, but the company certainly is breaking the law here and the OP would have a pretty solid case to be compensated if he has documentation of the hours worked. Exempt status only applies to exempt from overtime rules, not exempt from being paid.






      share|improve this answer


























        up vote
        6
        down vote



        accepted










        In the future, DO NOT WORK OFF THE CLOCK. This is illegal for your employer in the United States, other areas may vary. As an hourly employee you are entitled to be paid for every hour you work. Period.



        The company also opened themselves up to potential wage theft claim by you. It was not a good move by your boss either.



        While this may be 'common', it is not legal or ethical.



        Now, this is not true for salaried/exempt employees and giving 'comp time' is fairly typical in that case.



        Edited to clarify only employer is breaking the law: Section 29, part 785 of the code of fedaral regulations defines work and how it should be compensated.



        Notes from Part 785 that may apply.




        The United States Supreme Court originally stated that employees
        subject to the act must be paid for all time spent in “physical or
        mental exertion (whether burdensome or not) controlled or required by
        the employer and pursued necessarily and primarily for the benefit of
        the employer and his business.”
        Section 785.7



        In all such cases it is the duty of the management to exercise its
        control and see that the work is not performed if it does not want it
        to be performed. It cannot sit back and accept the benefits without
        compensating for them. The mere promulgation of a rule against such
        work is not enough. Management has the power to enforce the rule and
        must make every effort to do so.
        Section 785.13




        It's a long boring government document, so maybe the employee could not be held accountable for not reporting time, but the company certainly is breaking the law here and the OP would have a pretty solid case to be compensated if he has documentation of the hours worked. Exempt status only applies to exempt from overtime rules, not exempt from being paid.






        share|improve this answer
























          up vote
          6
          down vote



          accepted







          up vote
          6
          down vote



          accepted






          In the future, DO NOT WORK OFF THE CLOCK. This is illegal for your employer in the United States, other areas may vary. As an hourly employee you are entitled to be paid for every hour you work. Period.



          The company also opened themselves up to potential wage theft claim by you. It was not a good move by your boss either.



          While this may be 'common', it is not legal or ethical.



          Now, this is not true for salaried/exempt employees and giving 'comp time' is fairly typical in that case.



          Edited to clarify only employer is breaking the law: Section 29, part 785 of the code of fedaral regulations defines work and how it should be compensated.



          Notes from Part 785 that may apply.




          The United States Supreme Court originally stated that employees
          subject to the act must be paid for all time spent in “physical or
          mental exertion (whether burdensome or not) controlled or required by
          the employer and pursued necessarily and primarily for the benefit of
          the employer and his business.”
          Section 785.7



          In all such cases it is the duty of the management to exercise its
          control and see that the work is not performed if it does not want it
          to be performed. It cannot sit back and accept the benefits without
          compensating for them. The mere promulgation of a rule against such
          work is not enough. Management has the power to enforce the rule and
          must make every effort to do so.
          Section 785.13




          It's a long boring government document, so maybe the employee could not be held accountable for not reporting time, but the company certainly is breaking the law here and the OP would have a pretty solid case to be compensated if he has documentation of the hours worked. Exempt status only applies to exempt from overtime rules, not exempt from being paid.






          share|improve this answer














          In the future, DO NOT WORK OFF THE CLOCK. This is illegal for your employer in the United States, other areas may vary. As an hourly employee you are entitled to be paid for every hour you work. Period.



          The company also opened themselves up to potential wage theft claim by you. It was not a good move by your boss either.



          While this may be 'common', it is not legal or ethical.



          Now, this is not true for salaried/exempt employees and giving 'comp time' is fairly typical in that case.



          Edited to clarify only employer is breaking the law: Section 29, part 785 of the code of fedaral regulations defines work and how it should be compensated.



          Notes from Part 785 that may apply.




          The United States Supreme Court originally stated that employees
          subject to the act must be paid for all time spent in “physical or
          mental exertion (whether burdensome or not) controlled or required by
          the employer and pursued necessarily and primarily for the benefit of
          the employer and his business.”
          Section 785.7



          In all such cases it is the duty of the management to exercise its
          control and see that the work is not performed if it does not want it
          to be performed. It cannot sit back and accept the benefits without
          compensating for them. The mere promulgation of a rule against such
          work is not enough. Management has the power to enforce the rule and
          must make every effort to do so.
          Section 785.13




          It's a long boring government document, so maybe the employee could not be held accountable for not reporting time, but the company certainly is breaking the law here and the OP would have a pretty solid case to be compensated if he has documentation of the hours worked. Exempt status only applies to exempt from overtime rules, not exempt from being paid.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Aug 30 at 19:22

























          answered Aug 30 at 16:02









          Bill Leeper

          10.8k2735




          10.8k2735






















              up vote
              0
              down vote














              "[...]he promised the days off and we even came up with a plan for this time off to occur over the next month [...]"




              This sounds like he basically agreed to paid holiday for the banked overtime.



              Your contract will expire after september




              "[...] they did not have the money to continue paying me after September[...]




              and the last payment should include your 6 days "holiday" accumulated from overtime.



              I don't see anything shady or unusual with this. In fact it is quite common.



              The only potential source for problems is that there is a third party involved (your contract agency) and how the company you worked at are going to declare these days off ("you 'working' from home").



              Without knowing who has what kinds of contracts with whom in this triangle, it is hard to get further into details and potential pitfalls.



              Legal advice would be prudent if you want to be very sure.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                0
                down vote














                "[...]he promised the days off and we even came up with a plan for this time off to occur over the next month [...]"




                This sounds like he basically agreed to paid holiday for the banked overtime.



                Your contract will expire after september




                "[...] they did not have the money to continue paying me after September[...]




                and the last payment should include your 6 days "holiday" accumulated from overtime.



                I don't see anything shady or unusual with this. In fact it is quite common.



                The only potential source for problems is that there is a third party involved (your contract agency) and how the company you worked at are going to declare these days off ("you 'working' from home").



                Without knowing who has what kinds of contracts with whom in this triangle, it is hard to get further into details and potential pitfalls.



                Legal advice would be prudent if you want to be very sure.






                share|improve this answer






















                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote










                  "[...]he promised the days off and we even came up with a plan for this time off to occur over the next month [...]"




                  This sounds like he basically agreed to paid holiday for the banked overtime.



                  Your contract will expire after september




                  "[...] they did not have the money to continue paying me after September[...]




                  and the last payment should include your 6 days "holiday" accumulated from overtime.



                  I don't see anything shady or unusual with this. In fact it is quite common.



                  The only potential source for problems is that there is a third party involved (your contract agency) and how the company you worked at are going to declare these days off ("you 'working' from home").



                  Without knowing who has what kinds of contracts with whom in this triangle, it is hard to get further into details and potential pitfalls.



                  Legal advice would be prudent if you want to be very sure.






                  share|improve this answer













                  "[...]he promised the days off and we even came up with a plan for this time off to occur over the next month [...]"




                  This sounds like he basically agreed to paid holiday for the banked overtime.



                  Your contract will expire after september




                  "[...] they did not have the money to continue paying me after September[...]




                  and the last payment should include your 6 days "holiday" accumulated from overtime.



                  I don't see anything shady or unusual with this. In fact it is quite common.



                  The only potential source for problems is that there is a third party involved (your contract agency) and how the company you worked at are going to declare these days off ("you 'working' from home").



                  Without knowing who has what kinds of contracts with whom in this triangle, it is hard to get further into details and potential pitfalls.



                  Legal advice would be prudent if you want to be very sure.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Aug 30 at 15:54









                  DigitalBlade969

                  2,1551314




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