Single employees and those able to handle family commitments outside of work hours would not benefit. And no employee would be able to legally use the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act for well-deserved leisure. While the government has a responsibility to protect workers' health and safety and shield children from exploitation, employees have the right to determine which compensation and benefits packages meet their needs and goals. To the contrary, it may provide some workers with much-needed time away from work. Indeed, the potential for harm to employees would seem far greater without the option of comp time.
Overtime is time away from rest, family, loved ones and leisure activities.
It is simply hours taken away from the lives of employees. For some, overtime pay more than compensates for the lost hours. But for others, additional time is better than additional money. Comp time gives them the choice. This Brief Analysis was prepared by Diana Furchtgott-Roth, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a member of the National Advisory Board of the Independent Women's Forum.