Even though employers allow employees to watch TV, surf the Internet, or even sleep, depending on the circumstances such on-call time, even if the employee is not doing any work, still may be required to be paid by the employer. It has been clear since the 1940’s that employers have the obligation to pay employees
Friday’s Five: on-call time under California law
Businesses that have employees on standby waiting to be called for work must review whether this on-call time needs to be paid time. It is a v
ery fact intensive inquiry, that employers must ensure they get correct. Any mistake in not paying employees for compensable on-call time can result in potential exposure for overtime,
When Must Employers Pay For On-Call or Standby Time?
The DLSE takes the view that, on-call or standby time at the work site is considered hours worked for which the employee must be compensated even if the employee does nothing but wait for something to happen. “[A]n employer, if he chooses, may hire a man to do nothing or to do nothing but wait