By Steven M. Gutierrez
New Legislation in this 110th Congress, “The Family-Friendly Workplace Act,” was introduced by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) to permit private sector employers to offer employees the option of taking paid time off as compensation for overtime hours.
If adopted, The Family-Friendly Workplace Act would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. According to Rep. Rodgers, there is a need to eliminate barriers in federal law that prevent private sector workers from enjoying the benefit of a "family time" option. At present, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not permit private sector employers to offer “comp time” in lieu of overtime pay. Section 7(o) of the FLSA limits “comp time” to a public agency that is a state, a political subdivision of a state, or an interstate governmental agency.
