Does my employer have to compensate me for my drive time?
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Does my employer have to compensate me for my drive time?
I am a salaried employee and have worked for my company for 6 years. Then 3 months ago they added an aditional task to my duties. I am required twice a week to travel back to my work location after I have already left that location to perform a quality check. I leave my normal work day at 3 pm and I am not allowed to return for the quality check until after 8 pm. Are they allowed to make me do this with out compensating drive time above the normal salary? Just a few details to note I was not given a raise when this change took place nor did I sign any sort of agreement.
Asked on March 27, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Michigan
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You are a salaried employee; a salaried employee can be required to work additional hours--including after the end of his or her normal shift, and including travel time--without getting any additional compensation. If you were an hourly employee, there are circumstances under which you would have to be compensated for time spent driving; but as a salaried employee, your employer does not owe you any additional compensation, unfortunately.
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