One-line summary: How Launch classifies team members (exempt/non-exempt, full-/part-time), how and when you get paid, how overtime is approved and reported, and how to submit business-expense reimbursements.
Compensation
Employee status
All employees are designated as either non-exempt or exempt under state and federal wage and hour laws. The following is intended to help employees understand employment classifications and benefit eligibility. These classifications do not guarantee employment for any specified period of time.
- Non-exempt employees are employees who are eligible for overtime pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in any given week. (See Overtime Pay below.)
- Exempt employees are generally managers or professional, administrative, or technical staff. These employees, paid on a salary basis, are not eligible for overtime payments.
- Full-time employees. For the purposes of determining eligibility for certain benefits, a full-time employee is one who regularly averages 30 or more hours per week.
- Part-time employees. A part-time employee is one who works less than 30 hours per week (on average).
Payroll policies
Launch is committed to providing timely and accurate payment to all employees for hours worked and reimbursements due. Below are the details of our payroll policies, including pay schedules and payment methods.
Payment for hours worked
- Payment for hours worked is issued biweekly (every other Friday — 26 pay periods per year), in accordance with the pay schedule available in the payroll system.
- All hours worked or reimbursements due must be reported by the last day of the pay period in order to be processed during the current payroll cycle.
Pay schedule
- The workweek runs from Sunday through Saturday.
- Employees are paid every other Friday for work performed during the two weeks prior.
- If payday falls on a weekend or bank holiday, employees will be paid on the first business day prior to the weekend or bank holiday.
- A complete payroll schedule can be downloaded from the payroll system.
Methods of payment
- Direct deposit. The preferred payment method is via direct deposit into the employee's designated bank account on file in our payroll system, Gusto.
- Paper checks. Launch may occasionally issue physical paper checks instead of direct deposit at the owner's discretion. If an employee does not have a bank account, a physical check may be issued. For paper checks:
- The Payroll Administrator will arrange for the check to be made available to the employee on the same pay date as those receiving direct deposit.
- Checks will typically be mailed to the employee's home address (as listed in Gusto).
Out-of-state employees
- For employees who reside outside of Washington State, paper checks will be mailed to the employee's home address.
- Due to the unpredictable nature of mail delivery, Launch is not liable if the check does not arrive on the exact pay date. Employees should allow for potential delays when receiving mailed checks. If a check is lost or significantly delayed, employees must notify the Payroll Administrator for assistance in issuing a replacement.
Overtime pay
Launch discourages overtime and expects employees to manage workloads within regular hours. Overtime is defined as hours worked over 40 hours in a workweek (Sunday–Saturday) for hourly employees and is paid at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate, in compliance with labor laws.
Approval for overtime
- All overtime must be approved in advance by a manager.
- Employees must request approval before working overtime; unapproved overtime may result in disciplinary action.
Expectations
- Employees should plan tasks to complete work during regular hours.
- Managers are responsible for monitoring workloads and approving overtime only when necessary.
Reporting overtime
- Overtime must be accurately recorded on timesheets.
- Falsifying or failing to report overtime is a serious violation and may result in termination.
Expense reimbursements
Employees must obtain prior approval from their manager for any business-related expenses. Submit reimbursement requests within 30 days of incurring the expense, along with itemized receipts and a completed expense report. Reimbursements will be processed within one pay cycle after approval. Launch reserves the right to deny reimbursement for unapproved or unsupported expenses.
Travel-specific expense rules (per diem, mileage, eligible expenses, government-contract requirements) are detailed in §9 Workplace Standards & Conduct → Travel Policy.
California-resident employees: see also the California Addendum — CA Wage Deductions & Reimbursement for additional Lab. Code § 2802 / Cochran v. Schwan's business-expense reimbursement requirements (including the apportionment of home internet, phone, and utility costs used for work).
If you notice any outdated information or typos, or need clarification on any policies, please email hr@launchindustries.biz.