Documenting unpaid overtime

What to keep and write down when you think you worked extra hours that were not paid, and how to present them clearly.

Good records make a pay question easier to check. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Deadlines and rules differ, and using Report 2 HR does not stop or extend any deadline. See Official help for agencies.

Keep a simple daily record

For each day, write when you started, when you stopped, breaks you took or missed, and what you were doing when you worked extra time.

Match it to pay records

Keep copies of pay stubs, schedules and any messages that assign extra work. Note differences between the hours you worked and the hours paid.

List who knew

If a supervisor asked for the extra work or saw you working, say who and when.

Do your own arithmetic carefully

Show your numbers and how you got them. Say if a figure is an estimate.

Know that deadlines exist

Wage claims have time limits that can be short. Check the Labor Commissioner or an attorney early.

Fictional sample: unpaid closing time

This sample is fictional. Names and events are made up.

From April 1 to April 28 I closed the store on 14 evenings. The schedule shows a 9:00 pm end, but I clocked out at 9:00 pm and then spent 20 to 35 minutes cleaning and counting the register, at the manager’s instruction.

My pay stubs for the period show my scheduled hours only. I estimate about 6 hours of unpaid time and have listed each date.

I am asking for a review of my time and pay for April.

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