What Is Time Shaving?

Little Moves Cost Big Money

Time shaving, a term often cloaked in ambiguity, is an illicit practice that bears significant ramifications for employees. But what is time shaving exactly? In essence, it refers to employers manipulating employees' time records to reduce their payable hours, thus saving money at the cost of the employees' rightfully earned wages. This could be achieved by underhanded tactics like artificially inflating rest breaks or directly tampering with the timekeeping records.

In this blog, we delve into the intricacies of time shaving, providing real-world examples to illuminate its impact on the workforce and exploring measures to counteract such practices.

An Unethical Practice: Manipulating Timekeeping Records

One of the most common and insidious forms of time shaving is manipulating timekeeping records. This could involve shaving off minutes from the start or end of an employee's shift or lunch breaks.

Consider an employee who clocks in at 8:53 AM and works until 5:07 PM. Instead of paying for the actual work time, an employer practicing time shaving might round the hours to 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, thus shaving off 10 minutes of payable time.

While this might seem insignificant daily, the cumulative effect over weeks and months can result in substantial unpaid labor.

Exploiting the Gray Area: Inflating Rest Breaks

Another subtle yet prevalent form of time shaving is the inflation of rest breaks. Employers may record or insist that employees take longer breaks than they do, thereby reducing the total amount of payable work hours. This time shaving technique largely thrives in the gray area of compensation laws, leaving it open to exploitation. Understanding how this manipulation occurs can help employees identify such malpractices and safeguard their rights.

The Hidden Cost: Unpaid Overtime

One more method of time shaving that often goes unnoticed is unpaid overtime. Employees who willingly or under compulsion put in extra hours usually are not compensated for this additional effort.

Suppose an employee stays late to complete a project, but the employer conveniently forgets to record, acknowledge or pay for this overtime. This is a classic example of time shaving where the employer benefits from the extra work without bearing the cost.

Understanding this form of time shaving is crucial for employees, especially those in industries where overtime is commonplace.

Work With Unpaid Wage Attorneys

If you suspect your employer has been shaving your time and not paying you what you are owed, know that you have options. The team at Josephson Dunlap is here to help you reclaim your unpaid wages.

Learn more or get started by calling (888) 742-7242 or visiting our website.