Author Topic: What do you consider Comp Time?  (Read 2799 times)

kenmoremmm

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What do you consider Comp Time?
« on: May 18, 2018, 03:02:36 PM »
I'm an engineer. My current employer pays hourly, but any hours over 40 hours/week are logged as comp time. My former understanding of this was that it could be used for either vacation time (1:1 ratio) or would be paid out at the end of the year in a lump sum (again, straight pay, no 1.5x rate).

However, in listening to my boss (owns the company with his wife - 15 people total), it sounds like they are frustrated that people are taking the payout option. They seem to be indicating that they prefer people use it as vacation time or sick time, but of course your projects still need to get completed, so it's not like you can just say "I'm outta here - someone else figure this out for me."

So, I am curious what everyone else's take is on what comp time should stand for.

Chris22

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2018, 03:08:31 PM »
I'm an engineer. My current employer pays hourly, but any hours over 40 hours/week are logged as comp time. My former understanding of this was that it could be used for either vacation time (1:1 ratio) or would be paid out at the end of the year in a lump sum (again, straight pay, no 1.5x rate).

However, in listening to my boss (owns the company with his wife - 15 people total), it sounds like they are frustrated that people are taking the payout option. They seem to be indicating that they prefer people use it as vacation time or sick time, but of course your projects still need to get completed, so it's not like you can just say "I'm outta here - someone else figure this out for me."

So, I am curious what everyone else's take is on what comp time should stand for.

Is comp time even legal where you are?  I was under the impression it wasn't, or if it was it was very very tightly regulated on how it is provided.  If the employer is following the rules by paying out even though he 'hopes' people use it as vacation, it may be tough shit for him that they don't do as he pleases. 

I'm salaried, so my comp time is generally "I work more than 40 hours a week as a rule, especially including answering emails after hours, so if I have to come in late or leave early or run to the doc in the middle of the day, no one better say shit to me."  And they almost never do unless we're in the middle of crunch time at work. 

Raenia

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2018, 03:28:19 PM »
Where I am, comp time is strictly unofficial, and is not paid out.  It just means that when we're busy, I stay the extra hours to complete the work, and when we're less busy, I can use the accumulated time to leave early, take a half day, or whatever.  It's basically a way of getting around paying overtime.

mm1970

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2018, 04:08:41 PM »
Where I am, comp time is strictly unofficial, and is not paid out.  It just means that when we're busy, I stay the extra hours to complete the work, and when we're less busy, I can use the accumulated time to leave early, take a half day, or whatever.  It's basically a way of getting around paying overtime.
yep

Arbitrage

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2018, 04:23:22 PM »
My company has an official comp time policy, and it sucks.  You have to work an extra 8 hours in a week before you can start accruing.  After 48 hours, you can accrue up to a maximum of 9 hours (so if you work 57 hours, you get 9 hours of comp time).  If you work 47-48 hours every week, you'll never accrue any comp time.  I don't like unpaid overtime, but I could stomach that much.  However, the part that annoys me is that 9 hours is the maximum, period.  Doesn't matter if you have to work week after week of unpaid overtime, you're still only allowed a max of 9 hours comp time. 

If you use it up, you can get back up to 9 (again, after 8 hours unpaid each week you accrue).  We do get it paid out at the end of the FY if you haven't used it.  All 9 hours, if you've got 'em. 

MommyCake

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2018, 06:28:14 AM »
For me, anything over 40 hours can be paid immediately at overtime rates, or can be taken as comp time as straight pay.  So for working today on Saturday, I can either do my timesheet for 8 hours at 1.5 pay, or 8 hours of comp time to be taken later.  If I choose comp time, I can never, ever get paid out for it. 

Miss Piggy

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2018, 09:58:53 AM »
Where I am, comp time is strictly unofficial, and is not paid out.  It just means that when we're busy, I stay the extra hours to complete the work, and when we're less busy, I can use the accumulated time to leave early, take a half day, or whatever.  It's basically a way of getting around paying overtime.
yep

ditto

I'm a red panda

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #7 on: May 19, 2018, 11:55:47 AM »
I have never heard of comp time being paid out.

Ours can be unofficial "hey do you mind if I don't log my doctor's appt since I worked an extra 2 hours Monday" or official "since you all worked this weekend, take a half day sometime next week"

It is never 1:1. Maybe like 1:5 or 1:8 over the course of the year.

pecunia

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #8 on: May 19, 2018, 03:37:20 PM »
Watch yourself with the "comp time."  I worked in a place where I had hundreds of hours "banked."  We had a regime change and all that time was lost.  If it is not a written policy, it is not a true policy.

I guess it is a gentlemen's agreement and we no longer live in the age of gentlemen.

Goldy

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2018, 06:43:52 AM »
Our company time is based on days not hours so if we work a weekend we get two full days off.  A typical stint for us is 21 days on so we get 6 days of comp time after each rotation.

I should note that i’m salary so they don’t actually need to provide this to us.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2018, 09:13:58 AM by Goldy »

kimmarg

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2018, 11:11:46 AM »
Comp time is logged for any hours over 40. If you haven't used it in a year it pays out. Overtime on the other hand is paid at 1.5 and pays immediately. In our organization anything which is voluntary you may be required to take comp time for. (e.g. if you want to attend a presentation which is useful but not required). If, on the other hand you are required to be there overtime is required to be offered. You may elect to take comp time instead if you feel vacation/time is more valuable than money but if the scenario is required OT but be offered. 

pecunia

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2018, 09:42:00 PM »
Goldy:

Right.

Quote
I should note that i’m salary so they don’t actually need to provide this to us.

Hourly people would be protected by law to receive compensation.

ozmickey

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #12 on: May 23, 2018, 03:53:19 AM »
At my work, 38 hours is a standard week. If I work over that, I just take off the equivalent time later. I am on salary so no overtime.

SwitchActiveDWG

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #13 on: May 23, 2018, 05:57:48 AM »
For me, I get straight pay for however many hours I work. So if I work a 45 hour week, I bill 45 hours and get paid for 45 hours. Very straightforward.

I work for a very large engineering contractor.

10dollarsatatime

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Re: What do you consider Comp Time?
« Reply #14 on: May 23, 2018, 10:17:11 AM »
I work for the government and accrue comp time at 1x5 for everything over 40.  I would rather have the overtime pay, but I have no issue with comp.  They did buy out 120 hours last summer when there was no way I was ever going to be able to bring my balance down to a reasonable number.  Policy is that once we reach 240, they have to start paying us overtime.  Last year was the only time I hit that number, after a lot of work drama that ended with me having to clean up the mess.  They'll also buy out comp time when you leave employment.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!