Grocery store manager forces employees to stay up to 20 minutes after closing without pay, calls them "mandatory duties": ‘My paycheck only shows my scheduled hours’

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Aug 9, 2026 2:00 PM EDT

The workday doesn't always end when the clock says it does… especially if your employer decides otherwise.

An hourly grocery store employee started keeping track of the minutes spent completing mandatory closing tasks after noticing paychecks no longer reflected the extra time. Even though workers couldn't leave until supervisors approved the nightly checklist, management insisted those unpaid minutes were simply part of the job, leaving the employee questioning whether the practice was even legal.

When it comes to grocery stores, I understand that certain cleaning procedures need to be done before the store closes. Cleaning, putting away fresh produce, taking the trash… those are important things that need to be taken care of, especially in a place where food is being manipulated. That being said, I don't think it should be after the closing time and force the employees to stay longer than they should.

The problem here is the way that the manager handled the situation. For starters, when they decided to start taking care of these things before the store closes, the manager demanded that these things should be done when customers are out of the building, and not before they leave. This forces them to stay some extra minutes, which are not included in their paycheck, nor in their contract. So, it's an interpretation from the boss…

Since those duties are important and cannot be forgotten, the problem can be solved with one minor change: updating the contract and the salary so the employees can still get paid for the minutes they stay to work on this. According to the OP's calculation, there are 68 extra minutes per week they are working… that's more than an hour per week. If the boss were a bit more mindful and could pay them for this, then the problem is solved and done. 

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  • A grocery store employee carries a crate of fresh produce through the sales floor.
    via Unsplash+ (via Vitaly Gariev)

    A grocery store employee carries a crate of fresh produce through the sales floor.

    The people shown are not connected to the story and the image is used solely as a visual representation.

  • Location: Pennsylvania. I work hourly at a small specialty grocery store. My scheduled shift usually ends at 9:00 pm, which is when the store closes.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • After the doors are locked, two employees have to count our registers, put refrigerated returns away, wipe down the front area, take trash to the back and wait until the shift lead finishes the closing checklist. We normally leave between 9:10 and 9:20.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • Until last month we stayed clocked in during all of this. The owner recently changed the time system so everyone is automatically clocked out at 9:00.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • When I asked about it, he said the schedule already "includes normal closing responsibilities" and that only unusually long closings would be adjusted.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • Last week I wrote down my actual departure time every night. I worked 68 minutes after 9:00 in total. My paycheck only shows my scheduled hours.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • We're also not allowed to simply leave at 9 because the shift lead has to check the closing tasks before anyone goes home. One coworker got warned after leaving while the register count was still happening.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • Is this time supposed to be paid even if management considers it part of our normal closing routine? What records should I keep if this continues?
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • A supermarket worker organizes products on store shelves during a shift.
    via Unsplash+ (via Vitaly Gariev)

    A supermarket worker organizes products on store shelves during a shift.

    This is a stock image intended to accompany the topic and does not depict the individuals involved in the events.

  • Redditors gave helpful advice to the OP on how to handle this situation and what their legal options are. To start, they recommended that they get this decision on paper and then demand it, since it's something entirely illegal. Others suggested starting closing duties earlier, leaving at 9 PM, and explaining that this is what they are paid for. 

  • GrubbyTopDashCarter Wage theft. Nope outta that one. You must be paid for every minute worked. This employer is stealing from you.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • Scared_Management_87 This is called wage theft. Your boss is doing this illegaly and you should report him to the state and contact a lawyer and sue his dumb a.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • tesla3by3 That's wage theft. At $15/hr, that's costing you $900 a year.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • Low_Resident5002 If they're clocking you out at 9pm, you better be walking out that door at 9pm. If the owner doesn't like it, let him know your attorney would be happy to explain to him why you're walking out the door when you're off the clock.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • forgivethesebones that's definitely illegal and you should report it, it deserves to be brought to somone's attention. try to find a different job for sure but keep all the records and evidence that you can and report it to the Department of Labor & Industry.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • Following_Friendly Get it in writing and contact labor board
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • Character_Bed1212 Start closing at 8:40 as the schedule already includes closing duties according to your boss
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • A grocery store employee sweeps the floor after closing.
    via Unsplash+ (via Eduardo Soares)

    A grocery store employee sweeps the floor after closing.

    This image is for illustrative purposes only and is not related to the actual people or events described.

  • Aggressive Walrus771 Employer is wrong. I work you pay.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • rustynail11 Illegal, they need to pay you
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • TurnoverFuzzy8264 Contact the Dept of Labor for Pennsylvania and let them know. Ask to be anonymous in their report. They also owe you back pay.
    via Johto7_Marsh
  • ATX2ANM Yup. That there is called theft. Wage theft specifically.
    via Johto7_Marsh

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