Live chat services continue grow for both sales and customer support. All types of businesses, ranging from airlines to law firms use live chat to assist customers or gain new business. Live chat employees typically work in an office or from home.
Live chat support employees are often required to work more than 40 hours a week but do not get paid overtime wages. Many employers require live chat workers arrive early to work to boot up a computer or review scripts before the “official work day.” While this may just seem like an extra ten to fifteen minutes extra a day, it adds up to significant hours over weeks, months, and years.
Live chat support workers are often told by management that they are not entitled to overtime pay for these extra minutes a day. However, this is a clear violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. In general, “hours worked” includes all time an employee must be on duty including starting the computer to download work instructions, computer applications, reviewing scripts, work-related emails, and other job requirements.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division, covered nonexempt employees are entitled to be paid at least the federal minimum wage as well as overtime at time and one-half their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. This includes customer support employees who work at call centers or out of their own home.
Our experienced overtime pay attorneys can determine whether you are entitled to overtime wages based upon your job description, job duties, rate of pay, and number of hours worked. You are entitled to these wages against your current employer or past call center employer. There are strict time deadlines for filing lawsuits so it is essential that you contact an attorney immediately.
To help easily determine whether you are eligible to file a live chat support overtime wage claim, you should contact our experienced overtime pay lawyers at (855) 754-2795 for a Free Consultation to discuss your case. You can also fill out the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review Form on this page. We will discuss your situation and determine if you have a claim. There are absolutely no legal fees or costs unless you receive a settlement.
Live Chat Support Frequently Asked Questions
Are live chat employees entitled to overtime pay?
What are the live chat support overtime pay laws?