Is what they did legal?

Question

I'm currently at a part time job while I'm in school, where I usually work 25-32 hours a week, sometimes more, sometimes less. Anyway, a couple weeks ago I worked a few hours of overtime and forgot to ask for authorization, which I admit was a mistake, and figured that I would get punished for somehow. What they did was they gave me 30% pay for every hour worked over 36 hours that week. Which I just accepted was the punishment.

But then the next week I was on the schedule for 38 hours. And I got my paycheck the next week and noticed that they had done it that week too, I had worked no overtime that week, but still, I only got the regular pay for the 36 hours and the other two hours I worked that week I got 30% of what I would normally make.

Answer 1

That is not legal. Even though the extra hours worked were not authorized, the company still has to pay you for the time that you worked. You should contact the department of wage and hour.

Answer 2

That sounds like total bull****.  They cannot underpay you for your scheduled or pre-approved hours.  First thing, assume it was an honest mistake and talk to your supervisor/payroll person about it.

I'm not sure about the first scenario, either.  Could that have been illegal too?  You should look up the department of labor website for your state, and look for the sections on minimum wage and hourly pay.