Compensatory Time
Federal Compensatory Time
If you are not exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (non-exempt), you earn federal overtime whenever you work more than 40 hours in a workweek. For non-exempt employees, the UT Dallas workweek begins at 12:01 AM Thursday and ends at 12:00 Midnight the following Wednesday. Normally, you will receive one and one-half hour of compensatory, or “comp,” time for each hour that you work over 40 hours in a workweek. At your department head’s option, you may be paid for overtime at a rate of one and one-half times your hourly rate instead of receiving comp time. If you work more than eight hours one day, your supervisor may require you to work fewer hours another day during the same workweek to avoid accumulating comp time or paying overtime.
You may accumulate up to a total of 240 hours of federal comp time. (160 hours worked x 1.5 = 240 hours.) If you work in a public safety, emergency response or seasonal job, you may accumulate up to 480 hours of federal comp time. You will be paid for any federal overtime that exceeds these limits. You keep your rights to accumulated federal comp time until you use the time or are paid for it. When you leave UT Dallas, you will be paid for remaining federal comp time or, with your supervisor’s approval, you may remain on the payroll to use it up.
State Compensatory Time
In some situations, you may be eligible to earn state compensatory time. If you are required to work on a holiday you will receive state comp time for the hours you worked on the holiday. Also, if you are not exempt and you work no more than 40 hours in a workweek, but the combination of your work time and paid leave or holidays in that workweek total more than 40 hours, you will receive state comp time for the number of paid hours that exceed 40 in that workweek. You always receive one hour of state comp time for each eligible hour described in these two situations.
You must use state comp time within 12 months of the end of the workweek in which it was earned. If you do not use it within this period, you will lose it. State law prohibits payment for state comp time at termination of employment.
You may not earn state comp time for any time you work at your home.
Earning and Using Comp. Time
You must always have your supervisor’s permission before working overtime. You must also have your supervisor’s permission before using your accrued federal or state comp time.
In most cases, supervisors will allow you to use your comp time when you wish. However, use of requested time off may be denied at times when, in your supervisor’s opinion, your absence would disrupt critical functions of your department.
If you request use of state comp time at least 90 days before it expires, your supervisor must either approve your request or suggest an alternate time you may take it. If you request use of state comp time less than 90 days before it expires, your supervisor must make every effort to accommodate your use of the time, but is not required to allow you to use it if your absence would disrupt critical functions.
For More Information
If you have questions about federal or state compensatory time, ask your supervisor or click on the link below to view a list of Compensation staff that can assist you.
Contact Us
§ 659.023 Texas Government Code requires that UTD provide this annual notification to employees.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University
Last Updated: October 4, 2007
