Help! I’m confused about comp time, flextime

Q. Can you please clarify if and when we can offer comp time to our employees? What’s the difference between comp time and flextime? I’m confused.

A. Comp time generally refers to time off that makes up for time worked over 40 hours. It’s leave in lieu of pay. For nongovernmental employees, comp time cannot be used as a substitute for paying nonexempt employees overtime for hours worked over 40 in a week.

Flextime refers to a flexible schedule, such as hours other than the usual 9-to-5 schedule. Compressed workweeks are a form of flextime.

Employers in Pennsylvania are free to offer flextime to their employees. However, that doesn’t affect their obligation to pay overtime to nonexempt employees.