Mailbag Question - How Should I Get Paid?

As I've started up this blog again, I've been receiving emails from all sorts of people in the industry. While I've answered questions in person, I thought I'd kick off a "Mail Bag" feature once a week - sorry, no great prizes to give the winning email. You free-seekers can snag a trade coupon from your SM to your favorite Chinese place to celebrate your being in print - haha!

This week's email is from Chris in Kansas City and he wants to know how he should fill out his time sheet (legally) when he works a remote. His company says that he should only write down the hours that he is doing the remote. Well Chris, here's the short answer: according to the Department of Labor, ANYTIME the company requires you to go someplace, you should clock for it. So, if you have a remote from 4-7pm, and it takes an hour drive to and from the remote, your time sheet should look like this:

3-4pm - Regular Time
4-7pm - Talent Fee for Remote
7-8pm - Regular Time

Many companies will try to tell you that your "talent fee" is more than enough and that you shouldn't double dip. Your company is violating the Wage & Hour Law by making that suggestion or implication. In reality, you are NOT double dipping, you are clocking for hours that are required of you. Don't let them push you into a corner on what you should rightfully be paid. You're not asking for anything special, just what is owed to you.

If you would like to send a question, feel free to do so: radiooffair@gmail.com and I'll be glad to answer you.