Amazon Overtime Pay: What You Need to Know

Amazon's overtime pay policies can be complex, but understanding the basics is essential for employees who work beyond their regular hours. Amazon pays overtime at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate, which is in line with federal regulations.

Amazon's overtime pay is calculated based on the employee's regular rate of pay, which includes any additional compensation such as shift differentials or bonuses. This means that employees who earn higher rates of pay for working specific shifts or on holidays will also receive overtime pay at the higher rate.

Amazon requires employees to obtain approval from their manager before working overtime, and employees must also track their overtime hours accurately to ensure they receive the correct pay.

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Amazon has faced numerous overtime pay lawsuits across the United States. A class action unpaid overtime lawsuit was filed by a warehouse worker at Amazon's Sacramento, California shipping center, claiming the company denied him and others overtime pay, time spent traveling to and from clock-in areas, and mandatory meal breaks.

Amazon drivers in Illinois filed a similar lawsuit against the company, claiming Amazon should be considered a joint employer and therefore responsible for paying out overtime wages and other benefits. This is not an isolated incident, as several other lawsuits have been filed against Amazon in recent years.

Some of the most notable cases include a former warehouse manager in the San Francisco Bay area who filed a class action unpaid overtime lawsuit against Amazon, alleging the company failed to pay proper wages, including overtime, to supervisors at distribution facilities. A group of delivery drivers contracted to work for Amazon in Kentucky also filed a lawsuit, claiming they were owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid overtime wages for time spent passing through security screenings.

Amazon warehouse workers in Chicago accused the company of withholding overtime pay during Prime Week, the e-commerce giant's biggest sale of the year. The employees filed a complaint with the Illinois Department of Labor, stating they were cheated out of an estimated $50 to $150 each.

Here are some of the specific lawsuits filed against Amazon:

Amazon's handling of overtime pay has been a major issue for the company, with multiple lawsuits filed across the United States. The company has faced allegations of misclassifying employees, failing to pay overtime wages, and withholding accurate wage statements.

Amazon's overtime pay policies are governed by the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and state laws. Many Amazon employees are considered non-exempt and therefore entitled to overtime pay.

If an employee works more than 40 hours in one week, they may be eligible for overtime pay. Overtime pay is calculated at one and one-half times their regular rate of pay.

Exemption from overtime pay is not determined solely by job title, but also by job description, job duties, rate of pay, and hours worked. Some employees, such as those with "administrative" or "professional" roles, may be exempt from overtime pay.

Consulting an experienced attorney who is familiar with the FLSA and state overtime pay laws is recommended to determine eligibility for filing a wage claim.

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Amazon's workweek runs from Sunday through Saturday, so the company calculates hours during those days to determine overtime.

Amazon pays a minimum of 1.5x overtime pay, although some employees may earn double overtime for working during peak periods.

Some employees also have shift differentials that can affect their overtime rate and boost their overall earnings.

Amazon Flex drivers aren't eligible for overtime, so their surge pay doesn't affect their ability to get overtime.

During the pandemic, Amazon voluntarily increased overtime pay to 2x, but that only lasted a few months.

You might discover a department paying double overtime, but that policy will be the exception.

Amazon's overtime pay policies can be a bit confusing, but let's break down what you can expect in terms of earnings.

Amazon's minimum wage is $15/hour, which is a decent starting point.

You'll typically get paid 1.5x overtime pay, although some employees may earn double overtime for working during peak periods.

To give you a better idea of what this means, let's do some math. If you work 40 hours at $15/hour, that's $600 per week.

Here's a breakdown of what you can earn in a week if you max out your overtime hours:

This assumes you work 60 hours every week all year long, without any time off.

MET Shifts at Amazon can be a challenge for employees. Amazon typically tries to let staff know about an upcoming MET shift sooner than the required lunch break the day before the shift.

MET is usually reserved for peak periods at Amazon, requiring employees to work a shift that puts them into overtime hours to assist with surges. MET hours count towards overtime.

If an employee can’t work their MET shift, termination is possible unless they have an excusable reason or want to use their accrued PTO instead. This can be a stressful situation for employees who are already dealing with the demands of working overtime.

Amazon is only required to let an employee know about a MET shift by lunch break the day before the shift. However, managers typically try to give staff more notice than this.

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Amazon employees who work more than 40 hours a week are entitled to overtime pay.

Employers often misclassify employees as exempt to avoid paying overtime, which is a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Amazon delivery drivers could be misclassified as independent contractors, preventing them from receiving overtime wages.

Amazon may require employees to report to work early but not punch the clock until later, or strike hours off of time cards, which is a violation of the FLSA.

Employees who are exempt under the FLSA are not entitled to overtime pay, and their exemption is determined by job description, job duties, rate of pay, and number of hours worked.

If you believe Amazon owes you overtime pay, it's best to consult an attorney who has experience with the FLSA and state overtime wage laws.

You can contact an experienced Amazon Overtime Pay Lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your case and determine if you have a claim.

Amazon may refuse to pay employees for work done before the shift starts and after they punch out for the day, which is also a violation of the FLSA.

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Amazon's overtime pay policy has been affected by the coronavirus. Amazon doubles overtime pay for warehouse workers in the US.

Amazon's temporary increased overtime pay is effective March 15, 2020, and will continue through May 9, 2020. This means that hourly associates will receive double their regular hourly rate for every overtime hour worked in a workweek.

Hourly workers will qualify to receive double pay after 40 hours. This is a significant increase for workers who are putting in extra hours to keep up with the surge in online orders.

Amazon's decision to double overtime pay is likely a response to the growing demand for its services during the coronavirus outbreak.