A standard work week consists of a maximum of 40 hours per week or per 7 days. If you work more than 8 hours during a 24-hour period, or you work more than 40 hours in a week, you are entitled to overtime. Your employer must pay you overtime which is 1.5 times your hourly rate. There is one exception to this and that is if you, as an employee, agree to work for 10 hour shifts during a given work week.