I am employed as a cable installer. As part of my training, I was required to complete an online course on cable boxes, but was allowed to finish it from home. Should I be paid for the time I spent training outside of the office?

 

A: Yes.
Any time an employer requires you to take any sort of training, they should be compensating you for your time. If the training runs over and causes you to work more than 40 hours in one week, then you are also entitled to overtime pay at one and a half times your regular rate of pay for those hours over 40.
According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, this holds true regardless if the training is held on-site, off-site or even in the comfort of your own home. Just because you are outside of the office that does not mean that it is not work - and training is definitely considered work.

If the training is held off-site, and you are required to travel long distances to get there, you should also be entitled to compensation for your travel time and expenses.
Learning your rights under the FLSA can be challenging, which is why you should always consult an attorney who is practiced in the guidelines of the Act anytime you feel that you are being wrongly compensated.
For more information on wage claims in Houston, contact Kennedy Hodges for your free copy of The Ten Biggest Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Wage and Overtime Claim by calling 888.449.2068. You can also fill out our online form to schedule your complimentary case evaluation. Protect your paycheck and call today.