Time Tracking: An Employer Responsibility

A recent case before the California Appeals Court for the Fourth Appellate District highlights the important responsibility an employer has to maintain accurate and contemporaneous time records for employee work and compensation.

A former employee sued (and ultimately did not prevail) for back wages alleging unpaid overtime. The courts statement, however, is a cautionary note to employers. "If an employer fails to keep the required time records, an employee may prove an overtime claim by offering credible evidence that he worked but was not paid," the court said.

HomeWork Solutions strongly encourages clients to utilize a Nanny Log to track the nanny's hours worked. A Nanny Log also facilitates communication between employer and employee and is an excellent employee management tool.

Best practices include:

• A written work agreement that details compensation stated in hourly wage terms


• Accurate, contemporaneous time tracking


• Payroll records that itemize gross wages, total hours worked, net wages, deductions, and dates covered in the pay period

Employer's looking for a more automated time tracking solution can find free sources on the web. One such resource is OnTheClock.com who offer free time tracking for employers with one or two employees.

High Profile Nanny Wage & Hour Law Suit

Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder's former nanny sued last year over alleged unpaid overtime, in a high-profile nanny wage and hour dispute. This week, a jury rule that the Snyders owed the nanny over $44K in back unpaid wages.

A juror specifically stated that the lack of time cards and a written contract led the jury to believe there was a justified wage dispute and from there, they used their own common sense and fairness to determine the amount of the award.

HomeWork Solutions has sample nanny employment agreements, and payroll calculators available free of charge at their website, http://www.4nannytaxes.com.