Question 1

What is time and a half?

Accepted Answer

Time and a half means you are paid 1.5 times your regular hourly rate for each overtime hour worked. For example, if your regular rate is $20/hour, your time-and-a-half rate would be $30/hour. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must receive at least time and a half for all hours worked over 40 in a single workweek.

Question 2

When does overtime start?

Accepted Answer

Under federal law (FLSA), overtime begins after 40 hours worked in a single workweek. Some states have additional rules — for example, California requires overtime pay after 8 hours in a single day, regardless of weekly totals. Always check your state's labor laws for the specific thresholds that apply to you.

Question 3

What is double time pay?

Accepted Answer

Double time means you are paid twice your regular hourly rate. For example, if you earn $20/hour, your double-time rate is $40/hour. Double time is not required under federal law but is mandated in some states, such as California, where it applies after 12 hours in a single workday or after 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day worked in a workweek.

Question 4

How is overtime calculated under federal law?

Accepted Answer

Federal overtime is calculated by multiplying hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek by 1.5 times the employee's regular rate of pay. The regular rate includes hourly wages plus certain bonuses and commissions. Employers must pay overtime on a workweek basis — hours cannot be averaged across two or more weeks (except for hospitals and nursing homes under specific exemptions).

Question 5

Do all states require overtime pay?

Accepted Answer

All states must follow the federal FLSA overtime rules, which require time and a half after 40 hours per week for non-exempt employees. However, some states go further. California, Alaska, Nevada, and Colorado have daily overtime thresholds (typically 8 hours/day). Some states also mandate double time in certain situations. Exempt employees (salaried workers meeting specific criteria) are generally not entitled to overtime under either federal or state law.

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