What it is: a pre-approval form listing the dates, times and hours of planned overtime with the reason and a manager decision.
Approval does not decide pay
A policy can require approval before working overtime and can discipline people who skip it, but overtime that was actually worked must still be paid (29 CFR 785.11 to 785.13). Use the form to plan and control overtime, not to decide whether it is paid. The overtime calculator shows what it costs.
Covering a shift by swapping instead of overtime? Use the shift swap form.
Sources: 29 CFR 785.11. Rules checked . Found a problem? Tell us.
Questions
Can an employer refuse to pay unapproved overtime?
No, not for non-exempt employees under federal law. Work the employer suffers or permits must be paid; the employer can enforce its approval rule in other ways.