The standard working arrangement in Trinidad and Tobago is eight hours a day and forty hours a week. Everything beyond that is overtime.
The basic rate
Overtime is generally paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate after 40 hours in a week.
The escalating schedules
The Minimum Wages Act schedules go further than a single rate. Depending on circumstances, they provide for two times hourly pay for a first block of hours and up to four times hourly pay thereafter in defined situations.
If you regularly work long or unusual hours, it is worth checking which schedule applies to your occupation.
Public holidays and off days
Work on a public holiday or on your off day attracts double time.
With seventeen public holidays in the calendar — reflecting the country's Christian, Hindu, Muslim and African heritage — this is not a marginal issue. Over a year it can amount to significant money.
Meal breaks
Employees are entitled to a meal break during the working day.
Record-keeping is the employer's duty
Employers are required to keep records demonstrating compliance with the Minimum Wages Orders. That includes hours worked.
If a dispute arises about overtime and no records exist, the absence of records is itself a compliance failure.
Keep your own notes anyway
Even with that obligation on the employer, your own record of hours — start and finish times, holidays worked — is what lets you check the figures and raise a discrepancy with confidence.