Comp Time Legislation

Jayhawk

We have a question with the recent legislation that Congress is expected to consider soon regarding the bill that would allow private sector hourly workers to choose paid time off as compensation for working overtime hours versus just being paid time and a half for the hours. Does anyone know if the comp hours that the employee earns are also "time and a half"? For example, if an employee works 8 hours of overtime, right now he would be paid for 12 hours. If this new law goes into effect, and the employee agrees to comp time instead of being paid the overtime, would he get 12 hours of paid time off for 8 hours of overtime? I appreciate any insight someone can give me. Thanks.

LindaS

My understanding of the proposed regs. is that an employee would receive the time and a half so your example of an employee working 8 hours of OT would be able to receive 12 hours of comp. time.

Nat

That's my understanding as well.

Rockie

This is correct. It is also my understanding that employees will be allowed to bank this comp time and it will have to be paid out at the end of the year.

I do believe that employers will be able to set the rules on whether they wish to continue to pay overtime or use the comp time method and I believe it has to be across the board. I am not sure if specifics have been set as to maximum accrual or if employers can mandate how this leave is to be used.

Diane in FL

My understanding is that only the classifications were being updated, not the comp-time issues. Check the dol.gov site.

HRsage

The comp time bill is HR 1119 the Family Time Flexibilty Act that is being proposed right now in Congress. There is a brief but informative article on this website in the National News portion dated 4/11/03.

WOCO Frank

If you are a SHRM member, you've probably been receiving e-mails urging you to contact your congressmen in support of this Act.

Of course, when I e-mailed SHRM and asked them to give me a good reason to support the bill, I got no reply. I'm still waiting.