I continue to get many e-mails from New Mexico security guards who are getting ripped off by their employers for overtime pay. Why do you put up with it? NM law requires EVERY EMPLOYER to pay overtime to any employee who works over 40 hours in a 7 day period. That means that you must get paid at 1.5 times your wage if you work more than 40 hours in a 7 day period!
One Albuquerque security company requires its guards/patrol officers to obtain a certain number of rounds through properties or "hits" as it is referred to in the industry. This company tells its officers that if they don't make the required number of hits in an 8 hour shift then they must continue to work after the shift to get the required amount. THIS PRACTICE IS ILLEGAL! Overtime must be paid in this circumstance and anyone who says otherwise is a liar.
Check out the US Department of Labor guidelines below or the website. Of course, if you work for the company I am referring to you already know your boss is a liar- right?
Other Albuquerque security companies don't pay their guards overtime, pay them as independent contractors (against the law) and deduct improper amounts out of their pay. All of this is against the law.
NM Guards need to finally understand that there are ethical security companies out there that don't treat their guards this way. You don't have to accept unfair treatment and your career may be tarnished if you work for the wrong company/boss. Some guards want to pursue law enforcement as a future career. Police departments verify all employment, licensing and training. How will you get into the police academy if you work for a crook? Police and Sheriff's Departments know who these guys are and everyone should know that working for unethical people will get you nowhere.
Click here for forms and instructions to make a wage claim.
Under the new FairPay rules, workers earning less than $23,660 per year — or $455 per week — are guaranteed overtime protection. This will strengthen overtime rights for 6.7 million American workers, including 1.3 million low-wage workers who were denied overtime under the old rules. To learn more about the new regulations that take effect on August 23, 2004 visit the Federal Department of Labor's Website at http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/fairpay/main.htm
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