Most employees don't allow the time to build up too much, Jaros said. A majority of the employees who have comp time have less than 100 hours. Carmel's limit for comp hours is 100, said Barb Lamb, the city's personnel director. There, it's up to department heads to determine whether to pay employees overtime or give them comp time, Lamb said. Carmel Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray said she prefers to pay the people in her department for the overtime they work.
Private industry has stricter regulations.
Most companies are not allowed to give employees comp time instead of paying overtime. USA Education, like other private-sector businesses, allows employees comp time if they take it in the same week it's earned, said Bob Murray, manager of public affairs. It doesn't seem to be prevalent in the company that has about 1,700 employees in its Fishers facility, he said. Noblesville city employees seem to like the idea of comp time, though. Noblesville Mayor's Office Manager Bev Szalaiy and Public Affairs Manager Shelli Summers said they enjoy using the hours they accumulate.