Compensation for after-work calls and emails

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - A Chicago police officer filed a lawsuit demanding compensation for taking work-related phone calls and emails while off the clock. If he and his coworkers win, it could mean millions of dollars in back pay from the city. So what do employees deserve for the work they put in *after* work?

For many employees, gone are the days of leaving work at work. The emails and phone calls follow them home, long after they've logged off of their computers and pulled out of the parking lot. So if work is getting done after hours, should employees be earning money?

“They should definitely be compensated. If you do the work and it's for the company you need to be compensated for that,” said Frank Weber of Chicopee.

Many say it all depends on the terms of your contract, and just how you're getting paid.

“I think if you're a salaried employee you should not be compensated any more than what you're paid. I'd like to believe your salary represents that extra effort on your part after hours,” said John O’Connor of Chicopee.

Everyone wants their time off from work to be just that-- time off. But is every moment on the clock spent strictly completing work-related tasks?

“A lot of people do personal stuff at work. Facebook checking their own emails and things like that. It's something you make as a choice when you take on the job or whatever you're doing,” said Ron Toelken of Ludlow.

The Chicago officers' lawsuit claims bosses pressured officers to respond to work-related emails calls on department cell phones but told them not to file for overtime. City policy says officers should ask for overtime.