Do you feel like there is no such thing as a nine-to-five day? Does it seem like an eight-hour workday is ancient history? This is a feeling of people working in the banking and loan industries often feel, where employees are scrambling to meet deadlines for their clients.
You know the drill; as interest rates for mortgage loans rise the pressure is on to finalize the transaction so your client can lock in a rate before they increase. Whether you’re a mortgage advisor, loan officer, loan processor, title and account rep, or other banking and loan employee, we have a feeling that you’ve been working 9+ hour-long days in order to meet that deadline.
One thing that we admire about the French—besides their wine—is their law that allows workers to completely disconnect from checking company emails outside of work hours. Can you imagine the luxury of having an extra hour to enjoy your favorite wine knowing that you don’t need to respond to your boss or clients until the following morning?
Sure, it’s important to lock in the best rates you can for your clients, but it’s also important for your company to pay you fairly when you need to work extra hours in order to do your job. The “it is what it is” attitude doesn’t cut it when you consider the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employers must pay minimum wage, and overtime pay may not be less than one and one-half times an employee’s regular rate of pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek. Employees also cannot be forced to miss meal and rest breaks, or made to work off the clock.
Did you know that you are entitled to be reimbursed for business expenses, such as automotive and cell phone costs incurred while performing work-related tasks? This includes driving to in-person client meetings and engaging in work phone calls and text messages on your personal phone. Many people don’t realize that they are able to recover unreimbursed expenses, sometimes dating back up to four years, with interest.
If you find yourself working over 40-hours every week, missing breaks, and answering off-the-clock emails and calls from your boss or co-worker, we’d love to hear more about your story. The Carter Law Firm specializes in seeking proper compensation for employees who work for companies that violate wage and hour laws. Fill out our confidential form to set up your complimentary consultation, and we will discuss your case.
