Many Colorado employees believe that staying late or coming in early without pay is simply part of being a “team player.” However, this practice—commonly known as working off the clock—is actually a violation of wage and hour laws. Employers are legally required to pay employees for all hours worked, including overtime when applicable. If you’ve been expected to perform job duties outside of paid hours, you may be a victim of wage theft.

Under Colorado law, non-exempt employees must be compensated for every minute spent performing work-related tasks. This includes activities such as setting up before a shift, closing down after hours, attending mandatory meetings, or responding to work emails from home. Employers who fail to track and pay for this time can face serious penalties.

Common examples of off-the-clock work include being told to clock out before finishing your duties, working through unpaid breaks, or performing “voluntary” work that benefits your employer. Even if your boss says you can’t log those hours, you still have a legal right to be paid.

If your employer has denied payment for work you’ve completed, you may be entitled to back pay, interest, and damages. At the Law Office of Ralph G. Torres, we can provide legal assistance to the Denver public to help workers recover unpaid wages and hold employers accountable for wage theft.