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The Global Insight

Can comp time be given instead of overtime?

Author

Michael Gray

Updated on April 04, 2026

Employers may give comp time in place of regularly scheduled overtime work only for employees who must work overtime hours under flexible work schedules. Additionally, comp time may be approved instead of overtime pay for irregular or occasional overtime work.

Is comp time legal in Oklahoma?

“Comp Time” in Oklahoma Comp time is allowed for public sector employees only, but not for workers that have private sector jobs. If an employer tries to circumvent overtime laws by paying employees comp time — instead of overtime — then those employees can likely sue for unpaid back wages.

Is overtime pay required in Oklahoma?

There are no Oklahoma laws regarding overtime, so federal laws apply. The Fair Labor Standards Act requires that non-exempt employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

Is there a limit to allowable overtime hours?

The law is clear about how much a company must pay employees for extra hours of work, but there is nothing that says how far legally a company can go in requiring employees to extend work hours. Article 87 of the labor code is clear on how to pay employees for working beyond the prescribed period.

Why is comp time illegal?

The reason comp time is prohibited under federal law is that it allows an employer to get out of paying an employee overtime as required under the FLSA. The Fair Labor Standards Act requires a non-exempt employee to be paid time and one-half for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in a single week.

Is it better to take comp time or overtime?

Workers are never better off under comp time than overtime—and they are typically worse off. The bill would allow private sector employers to offer comp time at time-and-a-half in lieu of overtime pay when an employee works more than 40 hours in a week.

Who is exempt from overtime pay in Oklahoma?

Overtime Exemptions in Oklahoma Out of an estimated 120 million workers in America, almost 50 million are exempt from overtime law. Executives, administrators, and other professionals earning at least $455 per week do not have to be paid overtime under Section 13(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

How many hours is full time in Oklahoma?

How Many Hours Is Considered Full-Time? Short answer: Full-time employment is usually considered between 30-40 hours a week, while part-time employment is usually less than 30 hours a week.

Can you use comp time in place of overtime?

Employers may give comp time in place of regularly scheduled overtime work only for employees who must work overtime hours under flexible work schedules. Additionally, comp time may be approved instead of overtime pay for irregular or occasional overtime work. 4. Does it matter whether I am an exempt or nonexempt employee? Yes.

Is there an alternative to overtime for public employees?

Alternatives to Overtime Only public employees are eligible for time off instead of being paid overtime under federal law. This is commonly known as “comp time” or “exchange time.” This time off must be credited at the rate of at least 1.5 hours of time off for each hour of overtime worked.

When to use accrued comp time at overtime rate?

An exempt employee must use accrued comp time within 26 pay periods from the pay period in which they earned it. If it is not used within the 26 pay periods, or if the employee transfers to another agency, the employee may get the earned comp time at the overtime rate.

Do you get overtime for eight hours of work?

You could receive straight time for eight hours of work and straight time for eight hours of holiday pay. You are not entitled to overtime pay just because you work a holiday. 8. Am I entitled to Sick Leave? Vacation Pay? Severance Pay? There is no Pennsylvania labor law which requires an employer to pay an employee not to work.