Do you work longer than planned? Do you “hang around for a bit” after closing time? Or are you expected to put in extra hours without them showing up on your pay slip?
Many young people think that overtime simply comes with 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 paid too little.

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What exactly is overtime?

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

• above your contracted hours

• above the schedule

• above your average hours

Also for:

• side jobs

• part-time work

• zero-hours contracts

• temporary agency work

you can just work overtime.

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Must overtime always be paid?

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

That also applies if:

• your employer says that it “is part of it”

• you are a student

• it is only 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

Among young people we often see:

• working longer after closing time

• extra shifts “to help”

• coming earlier, leaving later

• cleaning after working hours

• onboarding 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 right to extra pay”

• “flexible scheduling without pay”

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

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

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Overtime with a zero-hours contract

Even with a zero-hours contract:

• do you work more than scheduled?

• do you consistently 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.
Therefore, always check:

• your collective labor agreement

• your payslip

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What if overtime does not appear on the payslip?

That happens often.
But:

• the payslip must be correct

• hours may not “disappear”

• making changes afterward is not allowed

Here too: evidence can be:

• 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 you worked

2. Compare schedule and payslip

3. Ask in writing for an explanation

4. Ask for back pay

5. Take action if payment is not made

You can often:

• claim back pay retroactively

• receive a statutory increase

• claim interest

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Common mistakes by young people

• thinking that overtime “is part of the job”

• not daring to say anything

• not keeping evidence

• waiting too long

• settling for vague explanations

That often costs money unnecessarily.

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Are you unsure whether your overtime should be paid?

Are you:

• student

• part-timer

• temporary agency worker

• young person with a side job

and do you work overtime without pay?

Then have 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.