Kentucky workers have the right to be paid a fair amount that complies with state law for work they have done. With the changes to the law for minimum wage, workers are now earning more than they did in the past. However, questions are frequently asked about overtime, how much they are supposed to receive, and who can receive it. Knowing the law for overtime is critical to getting what they deserve. If there is a dispute over wage and hour claims, having legal help is essential.
In Kentucky, workers are to be paid 1.5 times what they earn hourly in a 40-hour workweek. It is important for workers to note that there is no overtime requirement for workers who work beyond eight hours a day on a holiday or a weekend. In addition, employees are required to receive 1.5 times their regular pay in overtime if they work for seven days in one workweek. Supervisors are not subject to this rule. Others are exempt based on the work they do. That includes those who are salaried professionals; people who work in residential care and provide 24-hour service; restaurant, hotel and motel employees; retail and sales workers; and those who work in administrative jobs.
There are employees who are exempt from the law that they must be paid overtime after working seven days in one workweek. They include: workers who are employed at a telephone exchange and there are fewer than 500 subscribers; those who are technical assistants, bookkeepers or stenographers for attorneys, accountants, doctors and other licensed workers in the state; employees who are covered by the Federal Railway Labor Act, boat operators and seamen; those who work at icing railroad cars; and common carriers who fall under the Kentucky Department of Vehicle Registration.
When a worker is entitled to receive overtime benefits or is unsure if he or she is eligible, it is important to understand their rights. Wage and hour claims are not limited to getting the basic wages, but apply to overtime as well. A law firm that handles employment cases can help those who are concerned about wages and overtime.
