Why Timekeeping Records Protect Hourly and Salaried Workers
Why Timekeeping Records Protect Hourly and Salaried Workers
Accurate timekeeping protects hourly and salaried employees while shielding employers from FLSA lawsuits over wage theft or record manipulation.
Risks for Hourly Workers
Employers illegally shave minutes, delete OT, or alter shifts.
FLSA penalties include back wages, double damages, and $100-$15,000 per violation.
Risks for Salaried Workers
Misclassification leads to retroactive OT claims.
Records prove salary meets FLSA minimum ($844/week) and duties qualify for exemption.
Manual Records Problem
Paper invites abuse both sides. Courts award double damages plus fees to prevailing parties.
Modern T&A Software Solution
All systems provide audit trails: timestamped punches, flagged edits ("Original: 8:05 ? Edited by Manager X"), immutable logs.
Employer Benefits
- Defense against inflated claims
- Legitimate edit documentation
- Audit-ready compliance
- Proof against unauthorized reductions
Lawsuit Prevention
Mattress Firm paid $1.6M over disputed training hours. Digital trails win in court.
Best Practices
- Use electronic time clocks
- Enable audit trails
- Integrate payroll
- Review regularly
One system ensures compliance, builds trust, and eliminates disputes for all.
- Accurate OT calculation
- Clear wage claim records