Ideally, this time will be spent on jobs that are fulfilling. But whether or not we enjoy our work, the bottom line for almost all of us is to be paid fairly and on time. Fortunately, both state and federal laws protect this right. I put in more than forty hours on the job each week, without overtime pay. What comes as a shock to many is that the practice is illegal in most situations.
Some states do allow private employers to give employees comp time instead of cash.
But there are complex, often conflicting laws controlling how and when it may be given. Check with your state's labor department for special laws on comp time in your area. Many employers and employees routinely violate the rules governing the use of compensatory time in place of cash overtime wages. However, such violations are risky. Employees can find themselves unable to collect money due to them if a company goes out of business or they are fired.