My boss has refused to approve my timecard.

34 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 5,2025 at 2:53PM UTC

   Depending on your location, even though you made up some of the time, it may not count. My location allows us to make up only two hours, more than that is PTO or no pay. What does your contract specify? If you are in the right, go to his manager than to HR.

2. AnonymousJanuary 5,2025 at 3:27PM UTC

   Thanks for responding. I just checked the contract, no mention of it. Only that the "client has to approve the hours to get paid."

3. AnonymousJanuary 5,2025 at 4:14PM UTC

   Based on whether your job is classified as exempt or nonexempt, your company may be in violation of federal wage and hour laws. Additionally, depending on the state where you reside, the company may also be in violation of state wage and hour laws as well as paid leave laws.

   Additionally, if you’re employed by written contract or your position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the company may be in violation.

   While being timely and accurately paid is important, so is working in an environment that values its employees and is devoid of toxicity.

   Explore what legal rights you have and take appropriate action and also consider finding another job in a more productive environment.

4. AnonymousJanuary 5,2025 at 4:45PM UTC

   Check your contract closely. If HR cannot help you and without an approved time card you cannot get paid for the hours you worked it may be time to go to your state's department of labor for assistance. I would look for a new job as well. Why work somewhere so hostile. Life is too short to be treated in a manner that is less than professional.

5. AnonymousJanuary 5,2025 at 5:41PM UTC

   If you’re a contractor you get paid through the staffing firm as that is your employer. If the client in which you are doing work must approve the hours and didn’t, contact the staffing firm asap to report it. Some companies do not allow you to make up time so ask your firm contact about that and request they pay you for time worked (give them your documentation). If you’re being disrespected first, how long do you have to satisfy the contract? If not long, work until it’s done and ask your firm to reassign you or find a job on your own. There are so many red flags here. I’ve hired many contractors in my recruiting days. Something sounds fishy with your firm’s client. Get out as soon as you are able.

6. Naomi Is KingJanuary 5,2025 at 7:46PM UTC

   If you have a paper trail (email communication) of this continued refusal, forward a copy to your agency and include HR, accounting, and Cc: your boss. If you do not have a paper trail of the previous communications/attempts, craft an email detailing your efforts and continued refusal by your boss to your agency, HR, accounting and Cc: your boss. Always always always keep a paper trail and Bc: (blind copy) a copy to yourself (not your work email, your personal email address). Good luck to you! And I'd start looking elsewhere for employment if you are able.

7. AnonymousJanuary 6,2025 at 12:47AM UTC

   Your firm will ultimately deny your pay since they won't get paid.

   I think you will need to agree not to be paid for you sick day. It sounds like your sick day was outside the agreement terms between the company and your firm. I would request a copy of your terms of employment.

8. BBJanuary 6,2025 at 6:30AM UTC

   Notify the manager of the firm that employs you. Notify the labor commissioner of your state and file a complaint. There should be a contract on the back of your timecard.

   If the contracted company is this bad, perhaps request a new client.

9. AnonymousJanuary 6,2025 at 1:19PM UTC

   Were you approved for Flex Time in advance?

10. AnonymousJanuary 6,2025 at 1:34PM UTC

    Many of us would absolutely be able to make up the hours by working extra hours during the rest of the week. But I’m not sure that’s your case.

    You mention tuition, which makes me think you’re in college.

    Sadly, your boss sees you as an entry level worker who is not entitled to any kind of moving around or making up hours.

    A sick day may be paid or unpaid as per your contract. The 4 hours you worked extra, sadly, you likely won’t get paid for them. I know this is hard to say, but in many of my professional jobs, 5-10 hrs of week of unpaid labor per week was the norm.

    Live and learn. I am sorry. In the future *do not* work any extra hours for them since they’ve already indicated that it’s 5*8, no exceptions.

11. Abbie LoveJanuary 6,2025 at 1:39PM UTC

    This company offers no sick time?? Why are you still working for a man who doesn’t value you?

12. AnonymousJanuary 6,2025 at 1:44PM UTC

    Did you get approval to "make up the work" on his time? There's no leg to stand on if you didnt...no legal recourse, IF NOT,just remove the day, put it in to get paid and job hunt...

13. Cheryl DennisJanuary 6,2025 at 2:33PM UTC

    Sounds illegal not to pay for work. I’d try and talk to someone above him.

14. AnonymousJanuary 6,2025 at 2:46PM UTC

    I’m going on a limb and thinking her boss didn’t approve this and may not believe her, however unfair that may be. He may have had employees lie to him in the past.

15. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachJanuary 6,2025 at 2:44PM UTC

    This depends on company policy. If you didn’t ask to make up the time, your boss may have been in his rights to deny you the hours. Sending an email doesn’t prove you were working in the hours prior, though the work product does provide evidence.

    Resubmit for the full 8 hours to get paid. Look for a new job. And never assume that an employer has a flexible work arrangement. Always ask.

16. Jami FarkasJanuary 6,2025 at 2:46PM UTC

    It is illegal not to pay for hours worked, in every state. Take this to the company HR team, and report that he is trying to withhold wages. Show them what you have as proof. If they do not respond immediately, escalate to your state's department of labor and file a compliant for wage withholding. Sounds like you have the documentation needed for proof. They will be forced to pay you/your agency, and the employer will be penalized. His poor judgements and unfair/illegal practice will be out in the open.

17. AnonymousJanuary 6,2025 at 4:49PM UTC

    I'm assuming from your post that you don't get sick time or of you do, it's not paid. I would write those hours off. It may be illegal to without pay but your company may have a policy regarding pre-approval of overtime and working outside of regular hours. I worked for a company that went from being somewhat flexible in allowing people to set their own schedules and make up hours to requiring employees to use PTO if they had to leave two hours early for a doctor's appointment, for example.

18. AnonymousJanuary 7,2025 at 1:23PM UTC

    Thanks for the response!

    No PTO or sick time for me.

    I didn't want to just make up my own hours, we had a deadline, and I wanted to make sure the company was able to get documents submitted for regulatory approval. And we've worked over before. Heck my Friday meeting is scheduled at 4 pm... I never complain when it goes well past 5. That's part of being a team and how we get work done. Sometimes you have to give.

    It's an interesting situation.

    Thanks again for responding!

19. Molly FJanuary 6,2025 at 5:04PM UTC

    Actually company policy does matter. You can't just decide you'll work Tuesday's hours on Friday instead of Wednesday unless that is allowed by policy AND approved. Labor laws come into play about the max hours worked in a day & breaks. I've worked for companies where you could flex your hours & companies that have zero flex. OP did work outside of the normal business hours without prior approval. She would lose this fight. https://www.aihr.com/hr-glossary/make-up-time/

20. AnonymousJanuary 6,2025 at 8:36PM UTC

    Find another position, leave on a Friday and don't return.

    Someone like this don't serve courtesy from you.

21. AnonymousJanuary 7,2025 at 1:17PM UTC

    OP here!

    Thanks for responding, I may take you up on that.

22. maria roseJanuary 6,2025 at 8:44PM UTC

    The first answer to your question is what is the labor laws in the geographic area where the OP is located—first priority—2nd answer is what is written in the handbook employee policy on how employees are to clock in and out to be considered on the clock working and third answer is what is written in the company policy on working during non working hours and having them approved —4 th answer and not explained—does this OP qualify as a contract employee for the agency or the company paying the agency for the contracted work. 5th answer—determine which is the OP employer and determine if either offer benefits like sick paid hours. Never assume benefits if not part of your work contract.

23. AnonymousJanuary 7,2025 at 1:15PM UTC

    Hi Maria:

    OP here, great questions!

    I looked over my contract, and it reads "40 hours a week." Nothing is mentioned about how or when the 40 hours are worked. I'm assuming it's general 8-5 5 days a week. No sick time or PTO is offered to me.

    They are strict around the timecard though: " must be submitted before Monday... must be approved by manager."

24. AnonymousJanuary 6,2025 at 9:22PM UTC

    From the snapshot you don't share if it was approved to work those alternate hours. You can email your bosses boss and to ask for clarification on why it's being denied. Your agency should be fighting for you on getting paid. As far as Christmas, if you worked you should be getting paid. Now, if the agency is saying it's not approved, then ask them to help you ask why. Your agency is making money off of your hours too. It's hard to read your situation living, it will get better, do everything possible (legal) to stay in school.

25. AnonymousJanuary 6,2025 at 11:06PM UTC

    It sounds like he is following some sort of policy. Do you have a copy of your contract guidelines?

26. AnonymousJanuary 7,2025 at 1:27PM UTC

    OP here...

    I'm in Florida and non-exempt.

27. AnonymousJanuary 7,2025 at 1:50PM UTC

    OP here!

    Thank you to everyone who responded.

    To answer some of the questions:

    Yes, I am a student (Doctorate in Engineering), and I have about 20 years of experience in my verticle. Half my pay goes toward my tuition, and I don't get reimbursed. So my budget is tight.

    I'm ok with them deciding to not pay me for the hours I worked over--because it is unclear what their stance is. But, I didn't get paid for any of the other days I worked. Heck, they can keep the 5 hours, it is now the damage to my reputation because today I hear he is spinning up a movie of his thoughts about me and readily conveying his dangerous ideas to others. Which is so seriously childish and crazy that I can't even believe it.

    I called in sick today...and I don't think I'll be going back. I hate to do that. But, by now spreading awful rumors about my personal integrity and work ethics to directors and others... how does a person even recover from that type of damage to their reputation? At this point he is portraying this as wage theft, which we use Sharepoint he can tell I was working those hours by going in and looking at my profile.

    Again, I am thankful to everyone who replied, and I hope none of you have to go through this.

28. AnonymousJanuary 7,2025 at 3:27PM UTC

    if you call in sick again , you are feeding his "rumors" about you. Stand strong and be your excellent self and you will weather this storm.

29. AnonymousJanuary 8,2025 at 2:06PM UTC

    i think you need to FIRST align with your contracting agency and understand expectations and allowances. I would do this regardless because even if you leave this assignment, what about other assignments with this same contracting firm in the future?

    Anyway, after aligning with them, they need to advocate for you. Whether you leave this assignment or not you are owed your money!!!

30. AnonymousJanuary 7,2025 at 3:25PM UTC

    were you supposed to be paid for Christmas week? If you are a contractor, I'm guessing "not"...and does that fact have anything to do with not getting paid for this current issue? (important to note)- Also, if you are a contractor on this team, there might be a stipulation that you cannot get paid for missed/made-up work...but please check with your contracting firm on that! keep us posted!

31. AnonymousJanuary 7,2025 at 5:00PM UTC

    It seems odd you don't know your Contractor benefits. Ask your firm.

32. AnonymousJanuary 7,2025 at 5:46PM UTC

    File a formal complaint with the EEOC, also email both him and the legal department of the company letting them know you are doing this if you do not get paid. They should owe you late fees in some areas if this work is time dependent.

33. AnonymousJanuary 7,2025 at 7:40PM UTC

    The contracting firm needs to step in.

34. AnonymousJanuary 8,2025 at 1:59PM UTC

    Call your state department of labor.