Time Spent Preparing for Work Should be Paid for by Your Employer

Time spent preparing for work should be paid for by an employer in many cases.

As examples, time spent by a:
- butcher sharpening knives before and after work, or
- machine worker cleaning machines before and after actually working on them, or
- garment worker distributing clothing before beginning sewing, or
- cashier setting up the cash register before handling customers, or
- asbestos removal crew putting on and removing safety gear, or
- floor salesperson changing in and out of uniforms on the employer's premises (unless a collective bargaining agreement says that you should not be paid for it), or
- worker in a manufacturing plant showering and changing clothes after work that involves toxic materials.

In general, if it takes as little as 10 minutes before or after actual work activities you should be compensated for it.


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