Overtime Pay for travel time for non-exempts
lmonaghan_atpe_org
2 Posts
We have several non-exempt employees who must travel (50-100 miles or more) to meetings. Usually these meetings start at 8 am on regular work days or are often on Saturdays; therefore, these employees are typically driving from home to the off site location before 8 am or after 5 pm (regular work hours) or on the weekend.
I know the law reads as such: Normally, employees who travel will be paid for travel time during their regular working hours. Time spent traveling away from home, including overnight travel, is time worked when it cuts into an employee's workday since the employee is substituting travel for other duties. Further, such time is considered hours worked not only on regular working days during normal working time, but also during the corresponding hours of nonworking days. However, time spent in travel away from home outside of regular working hours as a passenger on an airplane, train, boat, bus, or automobile is usually not considered time worked.
I'm trying to get an idea of how many companies increase the benefit to the non exempt employee by paying OT for travel time outside regular work hours?
Comments
We pay above what is required by law. We consider this an employee relations need. I've listed parts of our policy below....
Business Travel
All time spent traveling for an approved business trip (including traveling on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and any other non-scheduled workdays) is considered as hours worked. Normal meal periods do not count as hours worked in this situation.
If an employee is required to attend or work at a function (e.g. reception, dinner) outside normal working hours as part of the business trip, all such time is considered as hours worked.
Travel Time and Overtime Pay
Any travel time considered to be hours worked as defined in this policy is to be used in meeting the daily or weekly overtime pay provisions.