Do you know what the FLSA means by Time or Hours Worked? Time Worked is time for which your employee is entitled to compensation.
Under federal law, you have to pay your employees for any of their time that you control and that benefits you. Generally, this includes time that the employee cannot spend as he or she wishes, even if that time is not spent working. To illustrate the point, an employee who has to mind the phones while eating lunch is entitled to be paid for that time, even if the phones aren't ringing.
It can be difficult to decipher when employees are entitled to pay; it’s not always obvious without understanding the essence of the Hours Worked Wage and Hour Division Guidance. We help clients navigate Wage and Hour challenges every day – we even do manager trainings for new managers on how to steer through wage and hour questions. The following are some examples of Hours Worked dilemmas:
- Waiting Time – waiting to work, waiting to be engaged, showing up, called-back
- On-Call Time
- Travel Time – home to work and otherwise
- Trips
- Rest & Meal Periods
- Sleeping Time & Certain Other Activities
- Lectures, Meetings, & Training Programs
The issue of travel is much more complex than roaming to and from an out-of-town office or worksite. The FLSA gives guidance on travel between worksites, special assignments, whether it is all in a day’s work or after hours, and even what mode of travel taken. It can get complicated. Let us help.
