Questions and Answers about Wages and Hours of Work
June 2007

A:  For most jobs, you will be paid at least minimum wage. Right now the minimum wage in Connecticut is $7.65 an hour.

Q:  Who must be paid at least the minimum wage?

A:  All workers except those in management and the following exceptions.
Exceptions: Some employees such as waitresses or waiters can be paid less than minimum wage (currently $5.41) but their tips & wages must add up to the hourly minimum wage. Other exceptions include those who work for dry cleaners, laundries, and beauty shops. In some cases, physically and mentally handicapped persons can be paid less than minimum wage.  Employers that pay less than minimum wage have to get permission from the state Department of Labor (DOL) and have to post a notice on the special wage orders at your workplace.

A:  You must get paid weekly unless your employer gets permission from the state DOL to pay you less often (for example, every other week or monthly). You must get paid on a regular schedule and at least monthly.

A:  If you work over 40 hours in a week, you must get paid time-and-a-half.

For example, if you are paid $8 an hour and you work 50 hours in a week, you will be paid as follows:

• 40 hours at $8 an hour
• 10 hours at $12 an hour  (the time-and-a-half rate)

There is no law that says you have to be paid overtime for working more than 8 hours in a day or on weekends. Sometimes employers choose to give extra pay for working certain times or hours.

Note: Some workers (for example farm workers) are not required to be paid overtime.

A:  You have a right to get paid for hours you have worked. Your employer may take out (deduct) money from your pay only when allowed by law. Your employer must give you a written statement that tells what has been taken out. Allowable deductions include health insurance premiums you have agreed to pay, and state and federal taxes. However, your employer cannot lower your pay check because the cash register was short.

A.  No.  Employers cannot require you to work more than 6 days a week in any calendar week in any commercial job.

A:  Yes. You have a right to get in writing how much you will be paid, the hours you will work, and how often you will get paid.   And, if your employer has any policies, such as those concerning vacation or sick pay, they must be given to you in writing. These policies can be posted on the wall, or be in a handbook or in another written format. Any changes to the policies must also be in writing.

A:  Your employer must keep accurate time records of all of the time you work. To protect yourself, keep your own record of your hours. If your employer doesn’t keep good records and you file a complaint because you haven’t been paid, the DOL will accept your statement of how much you worked as long as it is believable.

A:  Generally, you have the right to a half-hour unpaid meal period if you are scheduled to work 7 ½ hours or more in a row. The break must be after the first two hours of work and before the last two hours. If you must be on duty during your meal break, you must be paid for that time. There is no law that says you have to get a 10 or 15 minute break. If an employer chooses to give short breaks, you must be paid for the breaks.

A:  If you quit, you must be paid the next regular pay day. If you are fired, you must be paid by the next business day.

Q: If I lose my job, do I get my vacation pay?

A: Only if your employer has a policy to provide vacation pay or other benefits when an employee leaves the job. The employer must give you your vacation pay or other benefits according to its stated policy.

Q: Do these laws apply to me if I work for a "temp agency"?

A:  Yes, employees of temporary help agencies are covered by these laws.

Q: Do these laws apply to me if my employer says I’m an "independent contractor"?

A: No, if you really are an independent contractor.  Your employer may not be right in calling you an independent contractor. Many "independent contractors" are really employees of the company. To find out if you are an employee or an "independent contractor", contact the state DOL or a lawyer.

These are just some of your rights.   The laws and policies regarding employment have many exceptions, special rules and change often.

Do you have questions or concerns?

Contact: 
The State Department of Labor at (860) 263-6790. You can call for free from your local unemployment office.
-- or --
Call Statewide Legal Services at 1-800-453-3320 or (860) 344-0380 for information and advice.

This information is based on laws in CT as of June 2007.  It is not intended as legal advice for an individual situation; individuals should consult with a lawyer if possible.  Produced by the Legal Assistance Resource Center of CT