Kelly Days in the Police Department

DB

Our police officers earn Kelly days. It has something to do with the 15 minutes prior to shift starting time that officers are required to be available. Can anyone explain this better and/or refer me to the statue/law/lawsuit that created Kelly Days? We are located in Illinois.

WT

I cannot speak to the laws in your particular state but the Fair Labor Standards Act did not apply to governments for years. A court case applied the law to governments which required overtime payments. A subsequent case permitted the practice of compensatory time instead of cash payments. If the time at the beginning of the day extends the day and week so that overtime needs to be paid, then days off can be given instead. This would permit you to avoid these overtime payments. Check with payroll and see how the time is paid.