Vague recordkeeping costs company big in court

A recent lawsuit shows the hit companies can take because of managers’ documentation and recordkeeping mistakes.
A woman sued her employer, claiming she was owed overtime that was never paid.
The problem: She didn’t have any proof she ever worked more than 40 hours a week, and she couldn’t even name specific times when she allegedly worked overtime.
So, her case was thrown out, right? Wrong.
Turns out, the employee had evidence that the company didn’t keep accurate records of the hours employees worked. The woman managed a store and had the only set of keys — therefore she had to be there to open and close the store.
But on some days, company records showed work hours inconsistent with the hours the store was open.
Normally, it’s up to an employee to prove he or she worked overtime and didn’t get paid. But in this case, the court ruled, doubt was cast on the accuracy of the company’s own records.
Therefore, the company had the burden to prove no overtime was worked — which it couldn’t do.
Cite: Brown v. Family Dollar Stores of Indiana, LP