Are you working longer than planned? Do you stick around “just a bit” after closing time? Or are you expected to put in extra hours without those appearing on your payslip?
Many young people think that overtime is just part of a part-time job. That is incorrect.

In this blog you’ll read when overtime must be paid, when that often goes wrong for young people and what you can do if you’re being paid too little.

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What exactly is overtime?

Overtime hours are hours you work beyond your agreed working hours.
That can be:

• above your contracted hours

• beyond your schedule

• above your average hours

Also for:

• side jobs

• part-time work

• zero-hours contracts

• temp agency work

you can simply work overtime.

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Do overtime hours always have to be paid?

👉 Yes, in principle.
All the hours you work must be paid.

That also applies if:

• your employer says that it’s “part of the job”

• you are a student

• it’s just a few hours

• it was busy

Unpaid work is not allowed, except in very exceptional situations.

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Common situations where it goes wrong

With young people we often see:

• working past closing time

• extra tasks “to help out”

• come earlier, leave later

• cleaning after working hours

• training outside the schedule

👉 If you work at your employer’s direction, those are paid hours.

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What if your contract says that overtime is not paid?

Some contracts contain phrases like:

• “overtime is included”

• “no entitlement to extra pay”

• “flexible deployment without compensation”

For young people and side jobs, this often goes too far.
A contract may not simply deviate from the law or collective labor agreement.

Especially for minimum wage, the following applies:
👉 you must at least the minimum wage for all hours worked receive.

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Overtime with a zero-hours contract

Also with a zero-hours contract:

• do you work more than planned?

• do you regularly work extra?

Then those hours must be paid.
“You don’t have fixed hours” is no excuse.

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Overtime and allowances

In some sectors, you are entitled to the following for overtime:

• a higher hourly wage

• evening or weekend allowances

Think of hospitality, retail, logistics or healthcare.
Always check:

• your collective agreement

• your payslip

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What if overtime isn’t on the payslip?

That happens often.
But:

• the payslip must be correct

• hours must not “disappear”

• retroactive adjustments are not allowed

The same applies here: evidence can include:

• work schedules

• text messages

• witnesses

• agendas

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What should you do if overtime is not paid?

Use this step-by-step plan:

1. List the overtime hours you worked

2. Compare your schedule and payslip

3. Request an explanation in writing

4. Request back pay

5. Take action if payment is not made

You can often:

• claim wages retroactively

• receive the statutory increase

• claim interest

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Common mistakes by young people

• thinking that overtime “is part of the job”

• not daring to speak up

• not keeping evidence

• waiting too long

• settling for vague explanations

That often needlessly costs money.

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Are you unsure whether your overtime should be paid?

Are you:

• student

• part-timer

• temporary worker

• young person with a side job

and do you work unpaid overtime?

Then get it checked. Often it turns out that:

• the employer is in the wrong

• you are entitled to back pay

• structural unpaid work is not allowed

👉 Feel free to get in touch to have your situation assessed.