Wage and Hour Log Books for Cash Workers

Posted by City of Philadelphia Department of Labor on December 19, 2023

There are thousands of people working in an “invisible economy” right here in Philadelphia. Sometimes referred to as working “under the table,” these employees are often paid in cash, with little to no record of their work. These workers can still be  covered by Philadelphia’s labor laws!  The Philadelphia Office of Worker Protection has created Wage and Hour Log Books that can be used to track work hours for anyone paid in cash. These log books can be used by employers and employees.

Wage and Hour Log Books are currently offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Burmese, Chinese, and French. The record keeping portion, information on the Office of Worker Protections, and details on Philadelphia’s labor laws are all translated to ensure everyone understands their protections. And if you have any questions, you can call the Worker Protection Hotline and receive live interpretation in the language of your choice. (Arabic, Indonesian, and Khmer Log Books will be available in 2024!)

The LogBook can support your labor rights complaint

If you believe you have experienced a violation of your labor rights, you can submit a complaint to the Office of Worker Protections. Instructions on how to file a complaint are provided in the log book. As part of the investigation, the Office will ask for documentation and records of your work — like the details collected in the Wage and Hour Log Book. Consistent and consecutive note taking of your work hours and schedule can be handwritten into the log book and can support your complaint.  Note: if you do not have any documentation or evidence, you can still contact the Office for help.

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