Temperature checks have become an everyday occurrence in our personal and work lives. But does my employer have to pay for the time it takes me to do them?
Regardless of the length of the wait, if the temperature check is outside of your schedule, that time must be compensated. That means that if the temperature check or any questionnaire you have to complete is off the clock and you don’t get paid for this time, you might be entitled to compensation.
Concerning this type of procedure, the CDC presented different scenarios and how to handle them. One of them is that if an employee whose temperature was taken has too high a temperature and must go home, the employer must pay them that day. Another scenario is that the employee’s temperature must be confidential and must be shared with no one.
The last possibility, and it is the one that interests most people since it is a requirement for many, is compensation for this extra security step. The answer to this is that, as we mentioned, you should be compensated for the extra time it takes to go through this procedure. This means that your employer cannot deduct part of your salary if you are not at your workplace at the agreed time if the reason you were late was that your temperature was being taken.
You must know your rights concerning this extra security measure because it may continue to be required at your job for a while longer. This means that your employer must consider this additional time when calculating your work schedule. Stay informed of the changes that will be made in the process of entering your workplace. Ensure your rights are respected, and don’t let your boss deduct your salary if you are forced to go through this process.
