I live in Alabama, and I am a receptionist/office assistant for an electrician. He said he does not have to pay overtime unless he approves it. But he requires us to be here 1 hour early one day a week for a meeting, and plus we don'e exactly get out on time everyday. He just don't want to pay us for overtime. Can he legally decide wether or not to pay us overtime?

You are owed overtime for the extra hours you work over 40 in a week. If you are required to come to work early and you do start working, that is considered work time. The same is true if you are held up from leaving.

Time that is not work time is time when you are waiting to clock in or clock out.

Let me know if you have other questions.