I have a couple of questions about PTO and breaks/meals in oklahoma for hourly employees.

1. Even though Vacation is not mandatory if it is given to an employee as an earned bennifit should the accrued vacation be paid out for cash value to the employee at the end of employment(either voluntary or terminated)

2. Related question : At the beginning of the year the company resets all time banks, Vacation, and Sick leave, any time not used prior to the end of the year is lost with no recompense, if and employee tried to use the time through out the year and was denied on all requests but will still lose all accrued time off is this illegal?

3. Completely seperate, what is are the regulations regarding Meal and Break times.


Thanks guys for the help.

1. The OK DOL website isn't terribly user-friendly, but my recollection is that Oklahoma does require payout of accrued vacation/PTO at termination. I'll post an update on Monday if this isn't the case (my source is on my computer at work).

2. Yes, such a policy is legal. Oklahoma law does not prohibit use-it-or-lose-it policies.

3. Meals and breaks? Oklahoma law requires neither for employees 16 years of age and older.
http://www.state.ok.us/~okdol/wh/WH-FAQ-2005-09-27.pdf

yeah the labor site is slightly more confusing than a classical labrynth, thanks for the good news...although it is a bit disturbing that the company can give you time off then just never allow you to use it and almost as disturbing that there are no requirements for meals/breaks...

Actually, your accrued vacation is "wages" payable at termination only if the employer has an established policy or agreement stating they are; payment is not guaranteed unconditionally.

What does the company policy (or long-standing practice) say?

long standing policy doesn't...noone in HR or management seems to be willing to say anything...

so I'm going to guess then that they won't pay it out.:(

thanks for the help

They have to have some practice.............either they generally DO pay it or they generally DON'T. :confused: