# Again the Bush admin hits the working man. Comp time vs overtime. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 23, 2003, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891 "2003-06-23T22:57:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/1 "2003-06-23T22:57:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Despite having to cancel a vote to avoid an outright defeat, House Republicans have vowed to continue fighting for a bill, brazenly titled the “Family-Time Flexibility Act,” that has about as much to do with families as a Vegas strip joint, yanking more parents for longer hours away from the home. It would allow employees asked to work overtime to opt for compensatory time off, instead of overtime pay. The choice of being paid in time or money would be at the employee’s discretion. But the bill leaves extremely vague how an employee can actually take that time, saying only that an employer should permit the employee to take the comp time “within a reasonable period” so long as it doesn’t “unduly disrupt the operations of the employer.” There are also no guarantees that the comp time would be truly “voluntary,” since it’s in the employer’s interest to get free labor today that doesn’t have to be paid for until much later. The bill requires employers to pay for unused comp time within 30 days of the end of the calendar year, but that would theoretically allow employers to wait up to 13 months before paying someone the overtime he or she worked for – without having to compensate him until the end of the year – giving the company, in effect, an interest free loan. [http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=16218](http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=16218) Do you agree with this? I say bull excrement. Pay me for what I work. Period. What’s next? Doing away with overtime? I guess the pubbies forgot the hours our ancestors worked. How hard the labor unions worked to give the worker a decent work week. Forward! To the past! 2004 is only a year and a half away. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/2 "2003-06-23T23:19:51Z")
Cry me a river. I worked 80-hour weeks for six wears in a row. Where were you complaining about that and standing up for my rights? Maybe now people will realize what it’s like working for peanuts at a McDonald’s, trying to pay the rent. Now that I’m done chastizing you, to a certain extent I agree with what the author of the article is saying, but as usual it’s all blown out of proportion. I sure would be nice to see a reasoned cite instead of one written by a raving liberal whiner. > [@](#): > > The lack of a paid-leave law is what leaves vacations with the distinct whiff of illegitimacy in this country, and it’s why many feel guilty asking for their time or taking it. It’s your time, take it and quit making excuses. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/3 "2003-06-23T23:29:14Z")
If I understand this correctly, it looks like a great idea. I am assuming that it is currently not legal for an employer to offer time off for overtime and that this bill would allow it. Grown-ups shoudl be allowed to choose. For many people, time off is more valuable than extra pay. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/4 "2003-06-23T23:34:15Z")
So stiffen it up a bit and say the employee gets to choose to take the cash or the time off. Other than that, sounds like a good thing to me. Extra compensation for extra work. The form of compensation could be regular pay while you sit on your butt or extra cash for your extra hours. As long as the employee gets to choose which they’d prefer then I don’t see a problem. It seems like the intent of the bill is to create this choice(otherwise, why upset the _status quo_ at all?) and some loopholes are creating the problem of potential abuse by employers. Close the loophole, pass the thing and move on. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/5 "2003-06-23T23:35:01Z")
It’s a good idea, but the particular law is a crappy one. They should force the company to give the employee the time off within 60 days of having done the overtime, rather than the waiting until the last minute. And I can see this as an excuse for some companies to slash vacation time, as the employees will have their time off by working for it. Bad law. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/6 "2003-06-23T23:38:25Z")
I love my good old exempt “professional employee” job. Don’t have to worry about whether I get comp time or pay for MY overtime. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/7 "2003-06-23T23:39:16Z")
**Mtgman** …comp time is just time off. No money involved. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/8 "2003-06-23T23:40:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SmackFu \* > \*\*I love my good old exempt “professional employee” job. Don’t have to worry about whether I get comp time or pay for MY overtime. \*\* What overtime? Gotta love that exempt. ---
**Author:** ![Read\_Neck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@Read\_Neck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Read_Neck)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/9 "2003-06-23T23:43:38Z")
Dammit,what does the phrase : “It would allow employees asked to work overtime to opt for compensatory time off, instead of overtime pay.” mean? This is purely voluntary on the employees part. Labor Unions have been trying to get this for years. ---
**Author:** ![Edlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8797f3/32.png) [@Edlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edlyn)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/10 "2003-06-23T23:46:57Z")
Usually I choose to have the extra time off rather than the overtime pay. It’s an informal agreement between my boss and me and I like the option of taking off early one afternoon when a really lovely day comes along. It wasn’t all that long ago that some people were crying for the option to be able to do just that. It didn’t take long in reading Joe Robinson’s article to realize that he’s one guy that needs to grow up. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/11 "2003-06-23T23:50:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Reeder \* > \*\*[http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=16218](http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=16218) > Do you agree with this? > > I say bull excrement. Pay me for what I work. Period. > > What’s next? Doing away with overtime? > > I guess the pubbies forgot the hours our ancestors worked. How hard the labor unions worked to give the worker a decent work week. > > Forward! To the past! > > 2004 is only a year and a half away. \*\* It appears that thus far everyone agrees with it, at least in principle. There’s your answer. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2003, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/12 "2003-06-23T23:58:34Z")
I guess so if the people subjected to it get the comp time in a timely manner and when they want it. But it appears it will be at the whim of the employer. Worker. Boss. I need my comp time. Boss. Well we are busy now try next month. Worker. But I need it now! I worked the overtime for you. Boss. Tough excrement. Read the law. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/13 "2003-06-24T00:01:04Z")
Reread **Neurotik** ’s post. > [@](#): > > It’s a good idea, but the particular law is a crappy one. I agree with him on this. Remove that line about it being at the employer’s discretion, and it’s a perfectly good law. ---
**Author:** ![SnoopyFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@SnoopyFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnoopyFan)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/14 "2003-06-24T00:02:41Z")
Great idea if the employees would actually get their time. I’d MUCH rather have a day off than overtime pay. ---
**Author:** ![BrightNShiny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@BrightNShiny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrightNShiny)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/15 "2003-06-24T00:07:55Z")
What happens if the company goes bankrupt? What are the protections for employees to get their compensation? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/16 "2003-06-24T00:09:09Z")
Reeder: After reading the responses here, are still so sanguine about 2004? ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/17 "2003-06-24T00:10:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Airman Doors, USAF \* > \*\*Reread **Neurotik** ’s post. > > I agree with him on this. Remove that line about it being at the employer’s discretion, and it’s a perfectly good law. \*\* So now you are editing the law? And you really think the pubbies will remove that line? That line is the whole law. Wanna buy a bridge? ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/18 "2003-06-24T00:13:46Z")
I don’t think that line will go away, and for that reason I actually support the Democrats in their rejection of this. That doesn’t change the fact that the idea overall is a good one. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/19 "2003-06-24T00:21:47Z")
I agree it would work as long as the worker had the right to decide when the comp time was taken. But that will never be allowed. Not by the pubbies anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891/20 "2003-06-24T00:25:28Z")
:rolleyes: I’ll know when the Democrats propose something like this. That’ll be when the Cubs win the Series. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-the-bush-admin-hits-the-working-man-comp-time-vs-overtime/183891.md?page=2)