Are You Owed Overtime for Arriving Early? Know Your Rights

Many hardworking employees take initiative by arriving early to prepare for their shifts or meet expectations set by their employers. But what if you’re required—or expected—to be at your desk 15 minutes before your official start time? Are those extra minutes compensable under New Jersey law? The answer might surprise you.

At NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC, we regularly assist employees in understanding their rights under wage and hour laws. Whether you’re salaried or hourly, it’s critical to know whether you’re being properly compensated for every minute you work.

Understanding Overtime Laws in New Jersey

Under both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New Jersey state wage laws, non-exempt employees must be paid at least the minimum wage for all hours worked and overtime (1.5x regular pay) for any time worked over 40 hours in a week. But what qualifies as “work time”?

The Department of Labor broadly defines work time as any time an employee is required to be on the employer’s premises, on duty, or at a prescribed workplace. This includes tasks such as logging into systems, preparing materials, or attending mandatory meetings—even if they occur before your official start time.

When Early Time Counts as Compensable Work

You’re likely entitled to compensation if:

• You’re required to arrive early to prepare for the day.
• Your supervisor expects you to be ready and working before your scheduled time.
• You’re clocked in early and performing job-related tasks.
• There is a pattern of unpaid pre-shift responsibilities.

In these cases, even 10–15 minutes per day can add up over weeks and months—and could lead to a valid wage claim if you’ve not been properly paid.

Common Industries Affected

Wage and overtime issues often arise in industries with high expectations and structured schedules, such as:

• Healthcare and nursing
• Retail and food service
• Administrative and office roles
• Call centers
• Warehouse and logistics jobs

In many cases, employers pressure workers to arrive early or stay late without tracking or compensating that time. This is illegal.

Your Rights and Your Recourse

If you suspect that you’re owed wages or overtime for pre-shift work, here are steps you can take:

1. Keep records: Track when you arrive and when you start working, even if your employer doesn’t.
2. Review your pay stubs: Compare actual hours worked with what you’re being paid for.
3. Raise the issue internally: Talk to HR or your supervisor about adjusting your hours or pay.
4. Speak with an employment lawyer: Legal advice can help determine whether you have a valid wage claim.

In some cases, employees may also be entitled to penalties and attorney’s fees in addition to back pay.

Let Us Help You Recover What You’re Owed

It might seem like “just a few minutes,” but unpaid time adds up—and the law is clear that you deserve to be compensated for all work performed. At NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC, we help employees like you fight for fair pay, whether it’s unpaid overtime, off-the-clock work, or improper wage deductions.

If you’re wondering whether your early arrival counts as overtime in New Jersey, don’t stay in the dark. We’re here to give you clear answers and strong representation.

About NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC

NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC represents employees across New Jersey in legal matters involving wage and hour violations, discrimination, harassment, whistleblower retaliation, and more. We bring deep knowledge and relentless advocacy to every client’s case, and we’re committed to helping you protect your rights.

Contact Information:
NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC
101 Eisenhower Pkwy #300
Roseland, NJ 07068
(973) 358-7027