Overtime Requirements (NC)

HRD

We have employee training that is voluntary -- lunch & learn format (i.e. held 1 hour during lunch and food is provided). We track attendance and provide feedback to associates regarding their participation during their performance appraisals. The training is work specific, generally. Must we pay overtime (over 40 hours including the training time) to those associates who attend this training?

Pork

Lunch (MEAL BREAK) of no less than 30 minutes, where the individual is completely relieved of work task and training for the benefit of the company and the individual is most likely considered as work and should be paid regardless of the voluntary nature of the training!

Even when, you have someone sitting at the reception desk and eating can also be considered as work time, when he/she is required to answer any personal question of answer the phone! The key is "completely relieved of work task". Even though, no one ever walks in or the phone never rings, there is that reasonable expectation that heshe could not walk next door to get a sandwich; she/he could be considered as doing a "security roll of guarding the entrance" which is infact work. Get a free copy of the O/T regulations from your friendly wage and hour folks and you can become very smart and a hero for your company. "Student training time" for non-exempt employees is regular hours worked, unless the ee reacheds over 40 total hours worked, then, the class room hour could help to create an O/T situation. Pay them and enjoy the enhanced nature of the ee for the benefit of the company and the individual! Pork