Travel Time

 

5.  Prior to going out on their first call of the day, employees log onto their laptop computers to download assignments and maps, and to respond to e-mail.  They never come into the office.  Must we pay them for the time they travel to the first job of the day?

 

Maybe.  Under the Portal Act, you don't have to pay employees for their ordinary commuting time.  This includes situations where employees go from their home to the first worksite of the day.  But these employees may not be commuting.  If their workdays begin when they fire up their laptops, their first trip of the day isn't commuting, and you must pay them for their travel time. 

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