A lawsuit filed by employees of A & P, the Food Emporium, and Waldbaums alleges that the supermarket chains failed to pay them overtime wages has been certified as a class action.  The employees complained that they were required or permitted to perform work in excess of 40 hours per week without being paid overtime wages. This law is quite clear.  If the employees can prove the case, the defendants will have to pay back wages plus penalties.  The Association is deeply concerned that many of our members do not understand the hours and wages regulations.   Simply put an employee that works 40 hours a week can be paid at the minimum wage or more, however if you have an employee that works more than 40 hours a week the additional hours must be paid at time and a half.  Do not find yourself in a situation where you have to defend your business against the New York State or the Federal Departments of Labor.  In most cases these are losing propositions.  Have your accountant check and be sure that all of your records indicate that anyone working over 40 hours a week is being paid time and a half for those hours. v