In the event of a pay
dispute, businesses are required to prove that they have paid their workers
appropriately. For non-exempt employees, that means records of hours worked. In
cases where an employer does not have the records to prove that employee was properly
compensated for all hours worked and received overtime when due, the courts and
regulatory authorities almost always side with the employee claiming lost
wages. Furthermore, not maintaining appropriate records can subject the
employer to fines and penalties.
Recording hours, especially for professionals who have not had to do so in the past, can feel burdensome. It is important to stress that this is a legal requirement and not in any way a reflection on the value of work or level of professionalism. Simply put, this is what the law requires and employers that choose to ignore it do so at their own peril.