Society For Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional Practice Exam

Is Alec eligible for overtime pay after working 40 hours in a week and 10 hours during the Thanksgiving holiday?

1. Yes

2. No

3. She can earn half pay

4. This is based on the employer's discretion

The correct answer is: Yes

Alec is eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) if he is classified as a non-exempt employee. According to the FLSA, any hours worked over 40 in a workweek must be compensated at a rate of not less than one and one-half times the employee's regular rate of pay. If Alec worked 40 regular hours and then 10 hours during the Thanksgiving holiday, he has a total of 50 hours worked for the week. The time beyond the standard 40 hours qualifies as overtime, making both the additional hours and those worked during the holiday eligible for the overtime rate. While holidays can sometimes have special pay considerations, the key factor here is that overtime is calculated based on total hours worked, not the specific day they were worked. Therefore, Alec is entitled to earn overtime for the 10 hours worked over the 40-hour threshold, regardless of the holiday status.