Posts

Connecticut: Overtime for a Fluctuating Work Week Schedule is Calculated Based on State Law

APPLIES TO

All Employers with CT Employees

EFFECTIVE

August 17, 2017

QUESTIONS?

Contact HR On-Call

(888) 378-2456

In Williams v. General Nutrition Centers, Inc., the Connecticut Supreme Court recently stated that employers must calculate overtime for a fluctuating work week (“FWW”) schedule based on state, rather than federal, overtime rules.

There, GNC followed federal rules and divided the employees’ weekly pay by the actual number of hours the employees worked in that week to determine the employees’ regular rate of pay. However, the court stated that Connecticut requires employers to divide weekly pay by the number of hours the employees usually work each week, rather than actual hours.  In following the federal model, the GNC employees would always work over 40 actual hours per week when overtime is involved.  Thus, the number of actual hours would be greater than the usual hours worked, and the resulting calculation for the regular rate of pay would always be lower than if the usual hours were used to calculate rates.

Connecticut employers with FWW schedules should review overtime calculation methods to ensure compliance with the recent ruling.

Action Items

  1. Read the text of Connecticut Supreme Court’s opinion here.
  2. Review overtime calculations for compliance with state overtime rules.
  3. Subscribers can call our HR On-Call Hotline at (888) 378-2456 for further assistance.

Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser.

© 2017 ManagEase, Incorporated.