Careful — new OT rule could create 2 more landmines for employers

by Christian Schappel

The DOL’s new overtime rule will likely cause lots of currently exempt employees to begrudgingly begin punching a time clock. This may lead to two unintended consequences. 

Timesheet fraud

For starters, the changes to the FLSA’s overtime regulations are likely to exacerbate an already troubling issue for employers: timesheet fraud.
Of course, you want to believe that all employees will be honest about their “hours worked” when it comes to filling out their timesheets. But timesheet fraud is a real problem that can take a huge chunk out of employers’ bottom lines — especially for those in industries and jobs where it’s easy for workers to cheat.

Plus, the DOL’s new overtime rule will likely see a lot of formerly exempt employees punching a timecard for the first time in their careers. And resentment for having to do this may lead some staff to take a few liberties with their timekeeping.

What to watch for

The best way to prevent time sheet fraud – a.k.a., wage theft – is to be aware of how employees can engage in fraudulent timekeeping.

Click here for entire article.