GUARDING OVERTIME: NAVIGATING STATE LAWS AND ELIMINATING NON-BILLABLE HOURS
Jeff DiDomenico, Trackforce Valiant + TrackTik, CALSAGA Network Partner
In California’s security industry, overtime management is more than just a compliance challenge—it’s a strategic necessity to mitigate costs and promote employee satisfaction. California has strict overtime laws, especially for workers like security guards who are not exempt from these rules. California’s overtime laws, which are more stringent than federal mandates, demand meticulous attention from employers. Understanding and implementing these regulations are vital for maintaining compliance and fostering a fair work environment.
In California, employment laws dictate specific criteria for overtime pay that significantly impact how security companies manage their staffing. Non-exempt employees, such as security guards, are entitled to overtime pay under circumstances broader than the federal standard.
California stipulates that security personnel earn 1.5 times their regular pay rate for hours worked beyond 8 in a single day or for the first 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of work in a week. Even more, they are due double pay for hours worked beyond 12 on any given day and for all hours worked beyond 8 on the seventh consecutive day of work. Such measures ensure workers are compensated fairly for longer shifts, promoting a better balance between work and rest.
Additionally, California’s laws require that employers pay for “reporting time.” This means if guards show up for work but work less than half their expected shift, among other situations, they still must be paid.
Another nuance of California employment law is travel time where additional state rules dictate that employees must be paid for travel time between job sites during work hours. If security guards must report to a different location than usual workplace or travel to another site for the day, that travel time is considered work time and must be paid as such
This intricate web of regulations underscores the importance of precise overtime management to avoid unnecessary costs and ensure legal compliance. This is where automation solutions can make a big difference. The careful adoption of automation for workforce management not only streamlines adherence to California’s specific overtime laws but introduces efficiencies that benefit the company’s bottom line.
Learn how to tackle the overtime challenge head-on in our latest whitepaper: Guarding Overtime: Navigating State Laws and Eliminating Non-Billable Hours with Workforce Management Technology.
In 2000, Jeff joined Trackforce as a partner and took on the role of VP of Business Development & Strategy. Throughout his tenure with Trackforce, Jeff has been dedicated to establishing the company as North America’s foremost provider of security management software. In addition, Jeff is a frequent speaker at various security associations and is recognized as a leading figure and content curator in the security industry.