U.S. Department of Labor
FLSA Hours Worked Advisor
Suggestion Programs
Some employers use suggestion programs to encourage their employees to make suggestions to help do the work faster and better. Generally, if your employee spends time outside of his or her regular working hours developing suggestions under the suggestion program, the time is not hours worked. If your employee is permitted to work on suggestions during regular working hours, that time is probably hours worked. If your employee is assigned to work on the development of a suggestion, or to review suggestions submitted by others, the time is considered hours worked.
To review the regulations, click on the underlined text.
For more information, please contact your local Wage and Hour District Office.
