You might get on well with your employer, but that does not mean you need to work for free. If they want you to do something work-related, then they must be prepared to pay you for it.
Unfortunately, some employers take advantage of people’s goodwill, or people’s desire to please and keep their job, by pushing them to do extra unpaid work.
Employers can be subtle about this, asking you to “just do me this one little favor” or asking you to stay “just a few minutes more.” Yet the law is the law. If they expect you to do it, they need to pay you for it. If they are not prepared to pay, then you have a complete right to refuse, and they cannot let your refusal affect how they treat you.
Wage and hour claims are not always about big events
Some employers seem to forget that minutes soon add up to hours. Others know full well and realize that getting staff to perform an extra few minutes each day can soon add up to massive wage savings, especially in a company with a lot of staff. If your employer constantly tries to squeeze a little extra unpaid time out of you, chances are they are doing it to others too.
Remember that employers must pay overtime at time and a half on anything about your standard 8-hour day and 40 hours week. The exception is if you are an exempt employee.
If you are unsure about whether your employer is taking advantage of you by asking you to work extra, seek legal help to clarify your status and explore your options. A wage and hour claim may help you recover the time you have given away for free.