For workers who wonder whether their employers are paying them what the law requires, the enforcement tool they need may be right in their pockets. The U.S. Department of Labor has created a free timesheet app for the iPhone and iPad that is designed to help employees track the hours they work and determine the wages they are owed.

With versions in English and Spanish, the app enables employees to track regular work hours, break time and overtime hours, for one or more employers. The app cannot be used to calculate compensation in the form of tips, commissions, bonuses, shift differentials and the like.

A DOL announcement says it is exploring the development of timesheet apps for other mobile phone platforms such as the BlackBerry and Android.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.