CSLB Law & Business ExamEmployment RequirementsMedium
An hourly employee earning $20 per hour is scheduled for an 8-hour shift and reports to work on time. After 2 hours, the employer sends her home because materials did not arrive. Under California reporting time pay rules, what is the minimum total amount the employer must pay her for that day?
- A$160, for the full 8-hour scheduled shift
- B$0, because work was available when she arrived
- C$80, for a minimum of 4 hours total pay
- D$40, for the 2 hours actually worked
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. $80, for a minimum of 4 hours total pay
Reporting time pay requires that when an employee reports to work as scheduled but is furnished less than half of their usual or scheduled shift, they must be paid for half the scheduled shift, with a minimum of 2 hours and maximum of 4 hours, at their regular rate. Half of the 8-hour shift is 4 hours, so she is owed a total of 4 hours x $20 = $80, inclusive of the 2 hours already worked.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Full shift pay is not required under reporting time rules.
- B. Reporting time pay applies because the shift was cut short after work began.
- D. This only reflects actual hours worked, not the reporting time guarantee.
Reporting Time Pay
If an employee reports to work as scheduled but is given less than half the scheduled shift, the employer must pay for half the scheduled shift, with a 2-hour minimum and 4-hour maximum.
- Applies when scheduled work is not provided as promised
- Minimum 2 hours, maximum 4 hours of reporting pay
- Total pay for the day must meet this floor, including hours worked
Memory trick: Show up, get sent home early—get paid for at least half the shift.