Confused About Pay for 10-Hour Workdays? Seeking Clarity on Actual Paid Hours

Hi Team, I'm writing to seek clarification regarding working hours and pay at our company.

Working hours and pay concerns

We are required to be physically present for 10 hours daily, with a 1-hour break provided for lunch and snacks. My concern is that although I am physically present for 10 hours, I am unsure if these hours are all considered payable.

Discussion on reducing physical presence

I recently discussed the possibility of reducing the required physical presence to 9 hours, as I believe I can effectively manage my lunch and other breaks within my work schedule. However, the higher authority explained that the 10-hour policy is standard practice.

Discrepancy in salary tools

Adding to the confusion, we are advised to input only 9 hours when completing our salary tools. This discrepancy has raised further questions about the actual hours that are considered for pay.

Could you please provide guidance on this matter? Thank you for your time and attention to this issue.

Regards,

Legal Implications of Working Hours

10 hours of presence per day includes an interval of rest, with 1 hour designated for rest. Therefore, you are eligible for 9 hours of payment.

If it is a 5-day week, then there is no issue. However, if it is a 6-day week, then it is illegal. Calculating 6 days at 9 hours each results in 54 hours in a week, which is not permissible by law. Additionally, working 6 hours of overtime per week continuously is also not legally valid.

S K Bandyopadhyay (WB, Howrah) CEO-USD HR Solutions