When economic conditions are not at their peak, businesses are often forced to cut corners to stay operational. In many cases, employers make payroll cuts to bring down overhead costs. However, this may force them to perform the same volume of work with fewer employees. To fill the gaps, companies might bring on independent contractors to complete various tasks as they become necessary.

In particular, employers in the construction industry often hire day laborers to complete tasks on a job site. These are low-wage employees that are paid on a daily, rather than a salary or contractual basis.

Even though these workers are only on the payroll for a day, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to comply with minimum wage, overtime and recordkeeping provisions.

Day laborers must be paid at least minimum wage - $7.25 per hour - for all of their time and attendance regardless of whether they're receiving pay on a piecemeal, hourly or daily basis. Additionally, employers must pay them for all hours worked, which includes tasks that may not have been approved by site managers and time spent waiting on the job.

If employers find it difficult to track employee attendance in remote locations, they might consider investing in a portable timeclock that will make it easier to record employee information and work time for recordkeeping purposes as well. 

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