Number of work hours per week for fulltime employee?
Asked by Joe
Is it legal to work fifty hours per week as mandated by my company? And, is it also allowed to accumulate comp. time and not being paid for overtime? Help from knowledgeable law persons is welcome. Thank you in advance.

Best Answer:
http://webapps.dol.gov/dolfaq/go-dol-faq.asp?faqid=322&faqsub=Work+Hours&faqtop=Wages+%26+Work+Hours&topicid=1 Question: How many hours per day or per week can an employee work? Answer: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not limit the number of hours per day or per week that employees aged 16 years and older can be required to work. http://webapps.dol.gov/dolfaq/go-dol-faq.asp?faqid=320&faqsub=Work+Hours&faqtop=Wages+%26+Work+Hours&topicid=1 Question: When is overtime due? Answer: For covered, nonexempt employees, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime pay at a rate of not less than one and one-half times an employee's regular rate of pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek. Some exceptions to the 40 hours per week standard apply under special circumstances to police officers and firefighters employed by public agencies and to employees of hospitals and nursing homes. Some states also have enacted overtime laws. Where an employee is subject to both the state and federal overtime laws, the employee is entitled to overtime according to the higher standard (i.e., the standard that will provide the higher rate of pay). http://webapps.dol.gov/dolfaq/go-dol-faq.asp?faqid=451&faqsub=Work+Hours&faqtop=Wages+%26+Work+Hours&topicid=1 Regarding 'exempt' employees: Section 13(a)(1) of the FLSA provides an exemption from both minimum wage and overtime pay for employees employed as bona fide executive, administrative, professional and outside sales employees. Section 13(a)(1) and Section 13(a)(17) also exempt certain computer employees. To qualify for exemption, employees generally must meet certain tests regarding their job duties and be paid on a salary basis at not less than $455 per week. Job titles do not determine exempt status. In order for an exemption to apply, an employee’s specific job duties and salary must meet all the requirements of the Department’s regulations. So if you are considered an 'exempt' employee by your employer, overtime is not required. The fact that the company is offering comp time (which is not required) is a nice gesture, as they don't have to do that.

where are you? exempt or non-exempt? is the employer an interstate business, or do they have revenues in excess of $500,000.00 a year? if you are in the US, this business is covered by FLSA (not all businesses are), in the private sector and you are non-exempt then comp time is NOT legal. however comp time is legal in the public sector, in some states for businesses not covered by FLSA and for employees who are exempt from minimum wage and overtime laws. in the US it is legal for the employer to schedule any employee (except for minors) for as many hours as they deem necessary for their business as long as the employees are paid appropriately.............
Answered by michr

I work about 60 to 90 hours a week
Answered by oil_tycooon

It's legal to require you to work 50 hours a week, but generally they'd have to pay you time and a half for the extra hours.
Answered by Judy