Do I Have to Pay More for Swing Shifts?

As far as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is concerned, shift differentials (in other words, higher wages for working nights and weekend shifts) are strictly up to the employer.

However, if an employer does provide a shift differential or "wage augment," then under the FLSA that higher wage becomes the base for calculating any overtime due to employees working those shifts. Similarly, to date no state requires employers to pay shift differentials.