I am a temporary call center employee in Houston, working for a staffing agency. My boss at the center wont sign off on my hours because he doesnt think I should be paid for working over part of my lunch breaks. What should I do?

 

A: Since the staffing agency is actually your employer, it is their responsibility to make sure that you are treated in a way that is compliant with the Fair Labor Standards Act. But when you also rely on the approval from your temporary boss, things can get confusing.
 
The easiest way to remedy the discrepancy is to document all of the times that you worked over your lunch. As a Houston call center employee, the phone you use probably has a time feature to track how long you have been on the call, including the actual start and end time. If the feature is confusing, simply make note of the start and end time of the call, and compare it to the time that you are supposed to be starting your lunch break.
 
Keep a running tally of all of the times that this has happened, and add up the minutes for which you are not being paid, especially if they calculate into overtime pay.
 
Present exact copies to both your employer (the staffing agency) and your temporary boss (the call center supervisor). If they do not approve your time, call an attorney experienced in Houston unpaid overtime claims for more options on handling the situation.
 
The lawyers at Kennedy Hodges, LLP will provide you with a complimentary case evaluation, along with a free copy of their book, Ten Biggest Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Wage and Overtime Claim, by calling 888.449.2068.