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It's Not Just About the Rate
You got the offer letter: "$28/hour." Great! But before you sign, you need clarity. Hidden policies can shrink that paychecks pretty fast.
1. "Are hours guaranteed?"
This is the #1 question. Is this a "zero-hour contract" where they can give you 0 hours one week and 40 the next? Or is it a "guaranteed 40-hour" role? Without guarantees, you can't budget.
2. "What is the overtime policy?"
Some companies strictly forbid overtime. Others expect it daily. Knowing this helps you predict your maximum earning potential.
3. "Is there 'On-Call' pay?"
If you have to be available to answer the phone on weekends, are you paid a stipend? Or just paid if you actually work? Being tied to your phone for free is a quick recipe for burnout.
Red Flag
If they say "We treat everyone like family so we don't count hours strictly," RUN. In hourly work, strict counting is your only protection against wage theft.
4. "How is rounding handled?"
Does the time clock round to the nearest 15 minutes? If you clock in at 9:07 and it rounds to 9:15, you lose 8 minutes of pay every day. Over a year, that's 33 unpaid hours!
Conclusion
Interview the company as much as they interview you. These questions show you are professional and serious about your time's value.