Overtime Not Paid Correctly: What to Do

Discovering that your overtime pay does not match what you calculated based on your actual hours worked and the applicable premium rate is a common workplace concern. This guide explains the steps to take if you believe your overtime has not been paid correctly.

Step 1: Recalculate Your Expected Overtime Pay

Before raising the issue, carefully recalculate what you believe you are owed based on your standard hourly rate, the hours worked beyond your normal schedule, and the correct overtime premium percentage applicable to your situation, including any higher rates for holiday or rest day work.

Step 2: Gather Supporting Documentation

Collect any records of your actual hours worked, such as time tracking logs, manager approvals for extra hours, or written communication requesting overtime work, since this documentation supports your case if a discrepancy needs to be raised formally.

Step 3: Compare Against Your Payslip

Review your payslip closely to identify exactly where the discrepancy lies, whether it is missing hours entirely, an incorrect premium rate applied, or a miscalculation of your base hourly rate used for the overtime calculation.

Step 4: Raise the Discrepancy With HR or Payroll

Present your calculation and supporting documentation to your HR or payroll department in writing, clearly explaining the discrepancy you have identified and requesting a correction for the affected pay period.

Step 5: Escalate if Not Resolved

If the issue is not addressed satisfactorily through direct communication, escalating to higher management or filing a formal labor complaint through the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development provides a structured path to resolution.

Common Reasons Overtime Miscalculations Occur

• Manual tracking errors in recording actual hours worked
• Confusion between standard overtime and higher holiday or rest day premiums
• Payroll system errors affecting the base hourly rate calculation
• Overtime hours not being properly approved or logged by a manager

Preventing Future Overtime Discrepancies

• Keep your own personal log of extra hours worked, including dates and approvals.
• Review each payslip promptly after receiving it rather than waiting to notice discrepancies later.
• Clarify overtime approval procedures with your manager to ensure hours are properly recorded from the start.

Related Guides

• Overtime Pay Rules in Saudi Arabia: How It’s Calculated
• How to File a Labor Complaint in Saudi Arabia: Step-by-Step Guide
• Browse all Employment guides

Conclusion

Overtime pay discrepancies are usually resolvable by carefully recalculating what you are owed and raising the specific issue with clear supporting documentation. Keeping your own records of hours worked throughout your employment makes it much easier to catch and correct any future payroll errors quickly.