Worker told they're not going to be paid for overtime because they "volunteered": 'I [didn't] get paid'

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Apr 6, 2024 10:00 AM EDT

Overtime, by definition, is still time on the clock, and voluntarily staying to work that time doesn't automatically mean that your employer is now a charity. You can't just "volunteer" for your employer. The very premise itself is silly. Sure, if you're on a salary that is exempt from overtime pay, you'll probably have to work some extra hours during times of high workload, but it's expected that, in turn, during times when there is less work to be done you'll still get paid your full salary. But, if you're a waged worker who is recording your time, you're going to get paid for your overtime. Unless your manager is prone to the silliness I mentioned earlier and thinks that "voluntary" is the operative word in the phrase "voluntary overtime" and thinks that, as a result, they can somehow regard your increased time at work as a charitable act. 

It seems outrageous, but that's what this worker reported experiencing when they were asked to help out another department at the university where they worked with a large event that they were organizing. They agreed to help, but when they went to submit their timesheet at the end of the pay period, their manager denied them the additional hours because they had "volunteered" for the event. See their post and account of events below, along with reactions from readers in the online workplace community where they shared their story.

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  • 01
    "Job Told Me My Overtime Hours Were 'Volunteer' Time"
    via Elissa Garcia
  • 02
    r/antiwork 6 hr. ago OkBattle9871 Job Told Me My Overtime Hours Were "Volunteer" Time Started a job at a college, and sometimes departments will help out other departments with large events. We have a lot of events in the Admissions, so other departments will often volunteer to help out. Recently, the Enrollment department needed help with an event, so our boss volunteered for our department to help them run it. We had to show up an hour early both days to help. So at the end of the pay period,
    via OkBattle9871
  • 03
    When my boss goes to approve the timesheet, she informs me that those were "volunteer" hours so I don't get paid for those. She explained, part of the culture on our campus is volunteering to help out other departments whenever we can. This was the first time anyone explained to me that when our boss "volunteered to help" they literally mean volunteer.
    via OkBattle9871
  • 04
    I didn't want to rock the boat since I was new there, so I didn't say anything. But in my head I thought, "If I want to volunteer, I'll do it at a soup kitchen! Not at a private college with a $250 million endowment." We're coming around to the same time of year, and I'm afraid I may actually say it out loud now.
    via OkBattle9871
  • 05
    LikeABundleOfHay • 6h ago That doesnt sound legal. What country are you in? You didn't volunteer, your boss volunteered you. They still need to pay you for that time. 579 Re ↑ Share
    via OkBattle9871
  • 06
    Bitchinstein • 5h ago So I worked at a college this is super illegal. If it's a state public college, she 1. You should definitely is super report this. Eta: if in the US 320 Re ↑ Share ...
    via OkBattle9871
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    • woohoo789 4h ago You can't legally volunteer at your employer. It's against the law 31 Rep) ↑ Share ...
    via OkBattle9871
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    Chemical-Bathroom-24 • 4h ago This is really common in higher ed. There's a lot of events that need assistance, or organizations that need. an advisor and that work is often uncompensated. But I've never heard of a boss volunteering their department's time outside of normal work hours without offering comp time. 17 Rep) ✓ Share ...
    via OkBattle9871
  • 09
    • ejrhonda79 6h ago Next time don't volunteer. Your boss cannot control your non-work hours to give out freely to other departments. Rep ↑ Share 54
    via OkBattle9871
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    . Dapper_Platform_1222 • 2h ago She explained, part of the culture on our campus is volunteering to help out other departments whenever we can. Part of the culture around my home is getting paid to do the work that I perform at my place of employment unless explicitly told otherwise. 13 ☐ Reply 1 Share
    via OkBattle9871
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    • Green_Mix_3412 5h ago You should have said it out loud. Volunteering is just that, voluntary. You were told, not asked to do that work by your employer. They need to pay up for what was done and clarify going forward that they are offering volunteer activities. Don't work for free. ↑ 27 Rep ↑ Share
    via OkBattle9871
  • 12
    iclimbnaked • 5h ago If it happens again just say no. Don't work for free. It's not reasonable for them to expect that nor is it legal to require it. You'll probably off your boss, but it is what it is. 10 Repl ↑ Share
    via OkBattle9871
  • 13
    • pukui7 4h ago If you do end up going in early for this, leave an hour early that day, and put a full day on your timesheet. + 9 + Reply 1 Share
    via OkBattle9871
  • 14
    Entire-Vermice... · . 3h ago Edited 1h ago This is illegal. You're likely a non- exempt employee. I work in higher ed too and they always try to get away with this; report to HR or to the department of labor. They try to prey on people who already can hardly make ends meet. ↑ 7 B Reply ↑ Share
    via OkBattle9871

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