Understanding When to Pay for Travel and Training Time

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Ensuring compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is essential when determining whether employees must be compensated for travel and training time. The FLSA requires that non-exempt employees be paid for all "hours worked," which can include specific training sessions and travel periods.

Training Time Compensation

Employers must generally pay for training time unless all the following criteria are met:

  1. Attendance is outside regular working hours.
  2. Attendance is voluntary.
  3. The training is not directly related to the employee’s job.
  4. The employee performs no productive work during the training.

For example, if an employee attends a mandatory training session related to their job during regular hours, compensation is required. However, if an employee voluntarily attends a course outside of work hours that is unrelated to their current job, payment may not be necessary.

Travel Time Compensation

The compensability of travel time depends on the type of travel:

  • Commuting: Normal home-to-work travel is typically unpaid.
  • Special One-Day Assignments: Travel for a one-day assignment in another city is compensable, minus the employee’s usual commute time.
  • Travel During the Workday: Travel between job sites during the workday is considered hours worked and must be paid.
  • Overnight Travel: Travel during an employee’s regular working hours is compensable, even on non-working days.

For example, if an employee who works 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. travels during these hours, that time must be compensated. Travel outside of these hours may not require payment unless the employee is performing work-related tasks.

It is also important to review state requirements as they may require some additional policy review and updates.

For a more detailed breakdown, check out the full article on ADP’s blog.

Need Help Navigating Employee Compensation?

Ensuring compliance with labor laws can be complex. For expert guidance tailored to your business, contact us today at BizCoachGurus.com to learn more.

📩 Email: BizCoachGurus@gmail.com
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