I am a salary exempt employee from CT, I am working as a Computer Systems Admin.
When I signed my contract it was for 45 hours per week. I have to punch a clock in and out for the day and for lunch (which we have to take). My hours are from 8-5 with a 45 minute lunch. I know this does not add up to 45 hours per week however most weeks I work 45 hours or more. Last week I had worked 38.5 because I needed to leave early for a doctors appt. I don't have time to use yet but you would think I would get paid my salary. Well I was only paid for 38.5 hours based on a hourly rate at 40 hours per week not 45. My questions are as folows:

If I had worked 40 would I have been given my normal salary or would it be docked some how?

As a salaried exempt employee do I have to take a lunch or can I work through it to help qualify my 45 hour work week?

From a employers stand point I know I have to work what ever they tell me or I can get reprimanded. However if I am working 40-44 instead of 45+ do they have to pay my full salary?

Thank you!

I would check with your state's Department of Labor to see what the laws are - on the surface it sounds like you are an hourly employee eligible for overtime pay.

Yes, they can not have it both ways, you are either salary or hourly.

In Georiga, several of us sued our employor because we were being forced to punch a time clock, just punching the time clock, make us hourly workers and they had to pay a lot of overtime.