by Brightmine Editorial Team
Managing unpredictable schedules is a growing challenge for HR teams, especially when employees report for work but are sent home early. While federal law does not require employers to compensate workers in these situations, many states and municipalities enforce show up time or reporting time pay rules that require minimum payments when employees report but are not given sufficient work. Understanding these requirements is essential for reducing compliance risk and maintaining fair scheduling practices.
State and local reporting time laws vary widely, with some requiring two, three, or even four hours of minimum pay. HR professionals must stay ahead of jurisdiction specific obligations to avoid penalties and ensure consistent application across their workforce.
Our Fifty state chart for show-up time and reporting time requirements provides a clear, state-by-state overview, helping HR leaders make informed scheduling decisions, strengthen compliance, and promote fair treatment for employees. With accurate and detailed insights into mandatory payments and exemptions, organizations can better manage labor costs while supporting a more predictable employee experience.

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About the author

Our in-house team of HR experts carefully monitors and updates the Brightmine HR & Compliance Center, the most comprehensive library of employment law and HR resources. This team has an unrivaled wealth of subject matter expertise, with an average of 15 years’ experience. They also bring invaluable, diverse career experiences to the table—the team includes seasoned employment law attorneys, former in-house counsel, SHRM certified professionals and career employment law editors.
In addition to managing the HR & Compliance Center, the Editorial Team supports the content across the Brightmine product portfolio. The Team also supports Marketing Resource Center with breaking HR news, Commentary and Insights, and expert review of key compliance resources, such as our free charts.
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