What You Need to Know About Working Over 40 Hours a Week

Is it legal to work over 40 hours a week?
Legally, your employer can’t make you work more than 48 hours a week, including overtime. If they want you to work more than that, your employer has to ask you to opt out of the 48-hour limit.

Working more than 40 hours a week is typical in many professions, particularly in the US. To make sure that you are getting paid appropriately for your time and effort, it is crucial to be aware of the rules and legislation pertaining to overtime compensation and working hours.

Non-exempt workers are entitled to overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for any hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek. One and a half times the employee’s hourly rate is used to determine overtime pay. Executives, administrative staff, and professionals are exempt from this rule and do not get overtime pay.

The current minimum wage in Kentucky is $7.25 an hour, which is also the federal minimum wage. However, some Kentucky communities have adopted their own minimum wage rates that are higher than the regional and national minimum wage rates, including Louisville and Lexington.

Kentucky law does not mandate that companies give their staff a lunch break or other break time. If an employer does offer a break, it must last at least ten minutes and be included in the calculation of hours worked. If an employee works longer than six hours in a day, they are additionally entitled to a 30-minute meal break. This break does not count as hours worked and must remain uninterrupted.

Employees in Kentucky are not entitled to a break during a 5-hour shift. Employers, however, are free to do so if they so desire.

You are entitled to an uninterrupted 30-minute meal break after a 12-hour shift that is not included in the calculation of hours worked. A 12-hour workday may also include additional rest breaks, but employers are not compelled to offer them.

In conclusion, working more than 40 hours a week is permitted in the US, but non-exempt workers need to be paid overtime for any hours worked above that amount. The minimum wage in Kentucky is $7.25 per hour, but several communities have set their own amounts. Although employers are not compelled to offer lunch or break times, they must adhere to Kentucky law if they do.

FAQ
Thereof, what are my rights as an employee in kentucky?

The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) governs your rights about working more than 40 hours per week as an employee in Kentucky. For any hours worked over 40 in a workweek, non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay at a rate of 1.5 times their regular rate of pay, as per FLSA. However, depending on your job requirements and pay, various exclusions can be applicable. To be sure that your rights are being upheld, it is crucial to study your employment contract and speak with your employer or an employment attorney.

Then, are you required to take a lunch in kentucky?

Yes, per Kentucky state law, workers who clock in for more than five hours must take a 30-minute unpaid food break. At the latest, at the conclusion of the fifth hour of work, this break must be provided. However, the employer and employee may agree to an on-duty lunch interval if the nature of the job or environment makes taking an uninterrupted meal break impracticable.