A news anchor working for local stations in Oregon has claimed that his employers improperly compensated him and his colleagues for the amount of time put in on the job.

The former employee of two television stations, which are owned by the same parent company, has requested class-action status for other workers with the same or similar duties, according to local source The Register-Guard.

Approximately 30 current and former employees may be able to join the class action if it's certified. The anchor who filed the suit alleged that he worked between five and 10 hours of overtime on average each week. Because the suit covers a period of roughly six years, the penalties for the employer could be significant if all eligible employees participate in the suit.

The stations' parent company didn't provide comment on the case, but various exemptions to overtime legislation exist in the Fair Labor Standards Act. A specific clarification on the status of reporters and journalists points out that the widely varying duties of people in that profession make blanket classification difficult, although on-air talent are commonly put under the "professional" exemption.

Companies looking to avoid costly litigation should consider using time and attendance software, which accurately tracks hours worked and other salient employment details.

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