Rounding time favors employer.

[sparkyg]

What is the name of your state? Texas

My company has a contract with a major oil refiner. I report to the site each day (after picking up my company truck and tools at my employer's office) and swipe an electronic badge to "clock in". At the end of the day, I swipe out. My company pays me based on these swipe times that are sent to them by the refiner.
On a normal day, I am expected to arrive by 07:30. If I get there at 07:31, my pay will not begin until 07:45. A normal day ends at 16:00. If I "swipe out" at 15:59, my time is kicked back to 15:45. If I leave at 16:14 my time gets kicked back to 16:00.
Can they always round in their favor? If my company's contract states that the refiner can round in this manner, does it make it okay?

 

[Beth3]

No, they can't always round in their favor. What's happened is that the company has set up the "rules" in their timekeeping system improperly. Part of the challenge in setting these up correctly is that most individuals stop working at their shift-end but then don't clock out for another five or ten minutes due to personal clean-up, visiting with co-workers, etc. That time is not compensible. To avoid the payroll system automatically paying this time every day, supervisors usually have to "correct" the stop-time when someone actually works past their shift-end.

1. I suggest you discuss the situation when your supervisor and explain that you aren't being paid for work time at the end of the day.
2. If that doesn't correct things, then contact your State's Department of Labor.

If my company's contract states that the refiner can round in this manner, does it make it okay? No. A contract cannot include terms that violate the law. The terms would not be valid. Period.