An employer’s recently implemented late policy has drawn widespread criticism on TikTok for its blatant disregard for labor laws. The policy, which requires employees to work 10 minutes past 6 pm for every minute they are late for work, has been met with outrage from users on the platform.
TikToker Callie, who uploaded a video expressing her concerns about the policy, pointed out its glaring flaws. She questioned the employer’s logic in equating one minute of tardiness to 10 minutes of overtime, emphasizing that such a policy is not only unfair but also potentially unlawful. Callie further raised the issue of managers likely not adhering to the same standard, highlighting the disparity in treatment between employees and those in supervisory roles.
The potential for overtime pay is another concern raised by the policy. If hourly employees are required to follow this rule, they could easily be pushed past their 8-hour work day, entitling them to extra compensation. Callie expressed doubts about the company’s willingness to pay these additional overtime expenses.
Commenters on Callie’s video suggested creative ways to challenge the policy. Some users proposed arriving a few minutes early to work and demanding to leave 10 minutes earlier for each minute of punctuality, mirroring the employer’s logic. Others pointed out the potential legal ramifications of forcing employees to work beyond their scheduled shifts without compensation, citing labor law violations and wage theft.
Labor laws clearly define the rules regarding scheduled shift times. Employers are not legally allowed to keep workers past those times without providing compensation. As Callie pointed out, employers can request that employees stay beyond their shifts, but the employees must be compensated accordingly. The specific labor laws applicable to this situation may vary depending on the state where the business and its employees are located.
