No pay for time not "flagged"?

[x4words]

My question involves employment and labor law for the state of: California

I have been working at a car dealership for about 6 months now.
I started out changing oil and was making $8 Hourly.

Recently, managment moved me to a team in the shop that is paid "Flat-Rate" instead of hourly.

Managment told me nothing about switching my pay to "Flat-rate" whatsoever. However, the other members on the team said that I am being paid "Flat-Rate".

For this pay period, my time card said I worked 76 hours, but the computer said that I "Flagged" 46 hours for the pay period.

One team member told me that I would be paid $10 a hour for the 46 hours, and the 30 hour difference between the "flagged time" and my time card would be paid at minimum wage of $8 a hour.

Another team member told me that that doesn't happen, I am only paid for the 46 hours that I "flagged".


If the business does only pay me for the 46 hours that I "flagged" even though I was there in the shop and my time card says I was there for 76 hours, is the business breaking any laws or can they do that?
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[gnb62]

Paid by Flag hours

Hello,

I'm not an lawyer, but I have worked for new car dealers for over 20 years. What you describe is the typical way technicians in this industry are paid. Each job you perform on a vehicle has a preset labor time the the job pays. For instance, you may be paid one hour of labor to install front brake pads on a car. If it takes you 2 hours to do the job you still only get paid one hour. However, if it takes you 40 minutes, you also still get paid for one hour. As your skills improve you will get faster. It's not unusual for a new technician to make less hours pay then he actually spent on the job. More seasoned techs will usually "flag" more hours then they are actually there. This is how you can start to make a good income, but you will have to pay your dues during the learning curve.
That being said, I'm surprised the service manager didn't explain this to you when you first were hired. Most "lube techs" eventually become full service tecnicians. The more years & training you aquire can increase your hourly rate of pay. My experience has found most beginning technicians start around $12 to $15/hour. Experience master techs can earn up to $25 to $28/hour. Also, some shops will pay a small hourly rate for your "on the job" time in addition to your flag time.
I hope that answers your question.