Should I get paid for time spent logging in and out of systems?

Should I Get Paid for Time Spent Logging In and Out of Systems?

If you’re asking, “Should I get paid for time spent logging in and out of systems?”, you’re not alone. Many hourly workers (especially those in call centers, warehouses, and healthcare) face this issue daily. Under both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Ohio wage laws, the time you spend performing work-related tasks before or after your official shift may be considered compensable. That includes logging in, booting up software, or completing security protocols.

When Logging Time Becomes Compensable Work

The FLSA requires that employers pay for all hours worked. This includes “preliminary” and “postliminary” activities if they are integral and indispensable to your principal job duties. Logging in and out of systems may fall under this standard if:

• You must log into software systems to access job tools (like phones, order screens, or customer databases)

• You are required to complete security checks or run system updates before working

• You are prohibited from clocking in until after those steps are complete

If these activities are required by the employer and are necessary to begin your duties, you may have a valid claim for unpaid wages or unpaid overtime.

Ohio Law on System Login Time

Ohio follows the federal FLSA but may allow for additional protections depending on specific circumstances. Courts in Ohio have ruled that “off-the-clock” activities can be compensable, particularly if:

• They are controlled or mandated by the employer

• The employee doesn’t have the freedom to avoid them

• The time spent is more than just a “de minimis” amount (i.e., not just a few seconds)

If you spend several minutes each shift logging in, that time could add up to hours of unpaid labor per week. Over time, this could mean hundreds or thousands in lost wages.

Employer Tactics That May Violate the Law

Some employers have policies that require you to:

• Log in before clocking in

• Perform end-of-shift tasks after clocking out

• Fail to record startup time as hours worked

• Deny payment for required software boot-up or shutdown procedures

These tactics could violate both federal and Ohio labor laws. If your employer benefits from your time, you may be legally entitled to be paid for it.

What Courts Say About Login/Logout Time

Federal courts have ruled in favor of employees in several cases involving logging in and out:

• In Busk v. Integrity Staffing Solutions, the U.S. Supreme Court held that time spent on mandatory security checks wasn’t compensable but emphasized that tasks integral to the job would be.

• Ohio courts have supported claims when workers were required to engage in tasks essential to their job function, such as loading applications or configuring systems.

This means your entitlement to pay depends on how necessary the login activity is to perform your core duties.

Contact Coffman Legal for a Free Consultation

If you believe your employer is not paying you for required login or logout time, you don’t have to navigate this alone. An experienced employment lawyer can assess your case and determine whether you may be owed back pay under Ohio or federal law.

Contact Coffman Legal today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you recover the wages you may rightfully deserve.