Are you working longer than planned? Will you stick around “a little longer” after closing time? Or are you expected to work extra hours without them being reflected in your pay slip? Many young people think that working overtime at a part-time job is just part of it. That is incorrect.
In this blog you can read when overtime must be paid, when this often goes wrong for young people and what you can do if you receive too little pay.
What is overtime actually?
Overtime is hours that you work in excess of your agreed working time.
That could be:
above you contract hours
above the schedule
above your average hours
Also with:
side jobs
part-time work
0-hour contracts
temporary work
you can simply work overtime
Do overtime always have to be paid?
👉 Yes, in principle.
Everything you work must be paid.
This also applies if:
your employer says it is “part of the job”
you are a student
it involves a few hours
it is busy was
Unpaid work is not allowed, except in very exceptional situations.
Common situations in which things go wrong
Among young people we often see:
working longer after closure
extra services “to help”
arriving earlier, leaving later
cleaning after working hours
working outside the schedule
👉 If you work on behalf of your employer, these are paid hours.
What if your contract says that overtime is not paid?
Some contracts contain sentences such as:
“overtime is included”
“no right to extra payment”
“flexible deployment without compensation”
For young people and part-time jobs, this often goes too far.
A contract may not simply deviate from the law or collective labor agreement.
Certainly in the case of minimum wage, the following applies:
👉 you must receive at least the minimum wage for all hours worked.
Overtime at a 0-hour contract
The following also applies to a 0-hour contract:
Do you work more than planned?
Do you work extra on a structural basis?
Then those hours must be paid.
“You don't have fixed hours” is no excuse.
Overtime and allowances
In some For overtime, you are entitled to:
a higher hourly wage
evening or weekend allowances
Think of catering, retail, logistics or healthcare.
Always check:
your collective labor agreement
your pay slip
What if overtime is not on the pay slip ?
That often happens.
But:
the pay slip must be correct
hours may not “disappear”
post-adjustment is not permitted
The following also applies: evidence can be obtained are:
schedules
apps
witnesses
agendas
What should you do if overtime is not paid?
Use this step-by-step plan:
Put your overtime hours worked on a row
Compare schedule and pay slip
Ask for an explanation in writing
Ask for additional payment
Take action if payment is not made
You can often:
wages with retroactive effect claim
receive a statutory increase
claim interest
Common mistakes made by young people
think that overtime is “part of the job”
don't dare to say anything
don't keep evidence
wait too long
settle for vague explanation
That often costs unnecessary money.
Are you unsure whether your overtime should be paid?
Are you:
student
part-timer
-
check. It often turns out that:
the employer is wrong
you are entitled to additional payment
structural unpaid work is not allowed
👉 Feel free to contact us to have your situation assessed.