West Virginia Overtime Laws – WV

When you have to put in more time than normal, the hope is that your pay will be significantly higher. And if you’re one of the many types of employees who earn overtime pay, you want to make sure that your pay is exactly what you deserve. Some employees qualify for overtime, and others do not.

The laws are complicated and having a solid grasp of them will help save you money. If you’re an employee in West Virginia, then you need to know the basics of overtime law to make sure you’re receiving your fair share of the profits for the time you work.

Overtime Law Summary: West Virginia

Below Is an Outline of Critical West Virginia Overtime Law Components.

Note: New legislation, high court rulings (federal court decisions included), ballot initiatives, and other influences can change state laws. Please refer to a qualified attorney or complete your own research to verify the laws in your state to ensure accuracy.

Overtime Laws in West Virginia

West Virginia has its own overtime laws to add further protections to employees that the FLSA does not provide. This includes covering business that has six or more employees mandating that employers pay them overtime rates for working more than 40 hours in a single week. Federal laws cover a business that earns more than $500,000 in gross sales annually and ones that engage in interstate commerce.

West Virginia overtime laws do certain exempt types of employees:

• Employees of Immediate Family Members
• Golf Caddies
• Newspaper Deliverers
• Outside Sales Staff
• People 62 and older receiving Social Security
• Pin Chasers (Bowling Alleys)
• Shoe Shiners
• Theater Ushers
• Workers at Summer Camps

West Virginia and Federal Overtime Law

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the law for overtime. The law dictates non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a single week be paid at a rate of 1.5x their standard hourly pay. West Virginia also has its own laws governing employee pay. However, in determining which rules to follow, employers must always choose the rule that benefits the employee most.

Which Employees are Exempt For Overtime in West Virginia?

FLSA does not cover exempt employees. However, employees must meet certain, specific criteria to qualify as exempt, and the U.S. Department of Labor sets them.

While positions like mechanic arts, skill trades, and positions that do not require postgraduate degrees or college training qualify for overtime, other professional positions do not. Positions like teachers, physicians, lawyers, architects, registered nurses, and many others do not qualify for overtime pay. Here is a list of other exempt positions;

• Executive Employees
• Administrative Employees
• Learned Professionals (CPA, Nurse, Lawyer)
• Jobs Focused on Computers

West Virginia Nurse Overtime Act

Nurses are required to have at least 8 hours off from work immediately after any 12-hour shift worked. This is due to the interest of public safety in West Virginia. Nurses are also not allowed to work more than 16 hours in a single day with some exceptions:

• Unpredictable Emergencies where patient safety is at risk
• On-call time needed to be fulfilled and is not required overtime
• If they need to complete patient care currently happening

Most Employees Do NOT Legally Qualify for Comp Time

Compensatory time is paid time off that employers provide employees who work more than 40 hours in a particular week. This is only for state and county employees and not private employees. Those who qualify for it are offered pay time off at a rate of 1.5x their normal rate for hours worked over 40 in a single week.

How Workweek Hours Should be Counted

The definition of a workweek for the sake of calculating overtime is a set, seven consecutive days. However, this week does not need to start on a particular day. And during this period, an employee earns overtime when they work more than 40 hours.

If You Have Been Denied Overtime, Seek Legal Advice Immediately

State and federal laws concerning overtime pay are complex and are subject to change. It always helps to have a professional there to help. If you feel that you or someone you care about has not been properly compensated, then please get in touch with the Lemberg Law legal team today. Complete our form for a FREE case evaluation, or call 475-277-2200 NOW. You may be entitled to compensation for damages, injuries, or lost wages for federal and state wage law violations.