Not all work-related travel qualifies as paid time under federal law. If you work in Miami, for example, your daily drive to the job site in Fort Lauderdale is generally not compensable – but traveling between locations once your shift has started typically is. Knowing which type of travel applies to your situation can help you determine whether your employer owes you wages for time you have already worked.
What about normal commute times?
Generally, your employer is not required to pay for your commute from home to work. The Portal-to-Portal Act excludes this time from compensable work under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), whether you use your own vehicle or your employer’s. If your employer requires certain tasks during that drive – such as picking up supplies – that time may be compensable.
Does travel between job sites count?
Traveling between several job sites during your workday often counts as paid time. If your duties require you to travel from one job site to another after your shift begins, the FLSA generally treats that time as compensable – meaning your employer typically must count it toward your total paid hours.
If your job requires overnight travel away from home, the hours that fall within your normal workday are generally compensable, even on days you would not normally work – though the specific rules depend on your schedule and circumstances.
Common situations where travel time may be compensable
Travel time disputes often arise in common situations, including:
- Travel during regular working hours
- Travel between primary job sites
- Overnight travel to out-of-town assignments
- Emergency callbacks outside of normal hours
Whether on-call or callback situations qualify as compensable depends on the specific terms and conditions of your arrangement with your employer. Documenting how and when you travel during your workday can support a wage claim if your employer has not properly compensated you for that time.
What to do if you think you are owed travel time pay
Travel time rules under federal law can be difficult to apply without reviewing the specific details of your workday. If your employer is not counting certain travel as paid time, it may be worth examining whether those hours qualify as compensable under the FLSA. An employment attorney can review your schedule, identify whether a wage violation has occurred, and explain the options available to you.