Many employees arrive at work early to prepare for the day—reviewing schedules, booting up systems, or completing tasks to stay ahead. But an important legal question often arises: if you’re at your desk 15 minutes early, should you be paid for that time?

This seemingly small issue has significant implications. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New Jersey wage laws, employers are legally required to compensate employees for all hours worked. That includes any time spent performing job-related duties, whether or not the employer explicitly requested or approved the work.

What Counts as “Working Time” Under the Law?

Federal and state wage laws define “hours worked” broadly. Any time an employee is “suffered or permitted” to work, the employer may be obligated to pay for it. This includes:

  • Logging in to work systems early to prepare for the shift
  • Setting up a workstation or tools
  • Responding to emails or texts before clocking in
  • Fulfilling managerial or administrative tasks pre-shift

If these tasks benefit the employer and are part of your role, the law may consider that compensable time—even if it’s just a few minutes each day. Over the course of weeks or months, this unpaid labor can add up to significant lost wages.

When Early Arrival Crosses the Line

Not every early arrival is compensable. Simply being in the building early or chatting with coworkers doesn’t necessarily entitle you to extra pay. The key factor is whether you are performing job-related duties that benefit your employer. If you’re doing so regularly and without compensation, your rights may be violated.

Employers often have policies requiring employees not to clock in before a certain time. However, if those same employers allow or expect pre-shift work, they may still be responsible for compensating it, regardless of policy. Courts have consistently held that an employer cannot accept the benefits of work performed while denying compensation.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

If you suspect you’re being denied rightful overtime or straight-time pay for early work hours, you should:

  1. Document everything: Track your actual work start times and compare them to your official clock-in times.
  2. Raise the issue: Speak to your supervisor or HR department and ask for clarification in writing.
  3. Contact an employment attorney: Legal professionals can help evaluate whether your employer’s policies violate wage laws and guide you through the process of recovering lost pay.

Why Legal Support Matters

Wage and hour laws can be complex, and employers often rely on that complexity to discourage workers from asserting their rights. At NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC, we help workers across New Jersey recover unpaid wages and enforce their rights under both state and federal law. Our team understands the nuances of wage disputes and is ready to fight for the compensation you’ve rightfully earned.

If you’ve consistently arrived early and worked without pay—even just 10 or 15 minutes a day—you may be entitled to back pay, interest, and legal fees. Don’t assume those small time gaps are insignificant—they add up, and the law is on your side.

To better understand your rights regarding early arrival and overtime compensation, read our detailed article on
being at your desk 15 minutes early and overtime pay.

Contact NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC Today

Your time is valuable, and your labor deserves proper compensation. If you’re concerned about unpaid early work hours or overtime violations, contact NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC. We’ll provide a confidential consultation and help you explore your legal options.NJ Employment Lawyers, LLC
101 Eisenhower Pkwy #300
Roseland, NJ 07068
(973) 358-7027