Could you show the hours your caregivers actually worked?
A schedule, a time record and a payroll register each answer a different question. A 10-minute check with one caregiver and one pay period shows whether yours tell the same story.
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Why this matters
A schedule tells you when someone was expected to work. A time record should tell you what actually happened. Payroll tells you what was paid. Those three things should tell the same story. Washington's Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) says payroll records must include the actual hours worked each day and each week. L&I also says that if an employer cannot produce the required records in an investigation, it may rely on an employee's own records instead.
The questions
A 10-minute check: one caregiver, one pay period
Answer each one for your own home. Nothing is sent anywhere. It is just for you.
Can you show the scheduled shift?
Pick one caregiver and one pay period from about six months ago. Which shifts were they expected to work that week, and can you still find that schedule?
Can you show the actual start and stop times?
When did they really start and finish each day? L&I says payroll records must show the actual hours worked each day and each week, not only the planned schedule.
Can you show interruptions and extra work?
Were they called to help a resident during time off, asked to stay late, or covering for someone? Is that written down anywhere?
Can you show what happened at meal times?
Was each meal break truly free from duties? L&I says a meal period must be paid if the worker stays on duty, has to stay on call at the work site, or is called back to work.
Can you show the total weekly hours?
Do the daily records add up to a weekly total you could show someone else, without guessing?
Can you show how overtime was handled?
If the week went past 40 hours, can you show how the extra hours were counted and paid?
Can you show the wages paid?
Does the payroll register match the hours above? Washington law requires employers to keep payroll records for at least three years.
Answer the questions above to see where you stand.
Walk through it with usThe bigger question
If you cannot finish this check, that does not mean your payroll is wrong. It means your records may not yet show why it is right.
Sources
Where this comes from
The series
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Complimentary · 20 to 30 minutes
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