In order to properly compensate employees and process payroll accurately and fairly, employers need to understand what time is considered "hours worked" in Washington State.
Here is everything you need to know on what time is compensated in Washington State.
Employees in Washington State need to be compensated for all hours worked. However, in order to fairly process payroll in Washington State employers need to understand "what time is considered hours worked in Washington State?".
Additionally, it is crucial that employers have accurate timekeeping processes in place to ensure that hours worked are tracked properly.
Employers are required to pay employees for all work performed, at their agreed rate. This rate may be an hourly wage, salary, flat rate, piece rate, commission, etc. or a combination, but must satisfy Washington State Minimum Wage Law.
When employees are paid at an hourly rate, however, employers need to understand what time is considered "hours worked" so that they may properly compensate employees for what they have earned.
Under Washington Labor Law, “Hours worked” is defined as, “all hours during which the employee is authorized or required, known or reasonably believed by the employer to be on the premises or at a prescribed workplace.”
Examples of hours worked in Washington include:
Under Washington State break laws, meal periods / meal breaks should also be considered "hours worked" if the break is paid.
Meal breaks are paid in Washington State if one of the below apply:
Unauthorized hours or unapproved overtime does count as hours worked in Washington State, and such time must be compensated.
However, the employee can be subject to discipline for doing so.
In Washington State, employees may not perform volunteer or "free work" for a for-profit company.
There are some instances where work may be unpaid, in regards to interns, training, apprenticeships, and educational, charitable, religious, state or local government, and non-profit volunteering.
Employees are also prohibited from working off the clock, whether by choice or employer requirement.
Businesses that are struggling with payroll processing, may want to reach out to a Washington Payroll Service Company for help.
With modern payroll technology and services, employers can easily track hours worked and ensure that employees are paid accurately and fairly.
For more information, check out our Washington Payroll solution, or contact us today.
Watch our time and labor demo video below to learn more about how our software can help you track hours worked, and accurately compensate employees.