Question: Do we have to pay nonexempt employees when we close due to severe weather?
Answered by the HR Experts: When you close due to severe weather, nonexempt employees (those who are entitled to overtime) need to be paid only for actual hours worked plus any reporting time pay that might be required by state law.
You have the following options when it comes to if or how you pay nonexempt employees for time they missed:
- Pay them for the time, even though they didn’t work
- Require they take the day off unpaid
- Require they use any available vacation time or paid time off (PTO)
- Allow them to choose between taking unpaid time off or using vacation or PTO
All four options have their merits. We generally recommend option 4, allowing nonexempt employees the choice of using vacation time or PTO.
Different rules apply to exempt employees. Learn more in our severe weather guide.
Original content by the Mineral Platform. This information is provided with the understanding that Payroll Partners is not rendering legal, human resources, or other professional advice or service. Professional advice on specific issues should be sought from a lawyer, HR consultant or other professional.
