Hello,
My employer oporates 24 hours a day. Any time period after 12 hours per day is concitered overtime, and I know there are no limits to how much overtime can be packed into a day, but I am interested in how many hours you can be off before it becomes another "day" under the law. Can you be asked to work 12 hours, have four hours off, work another 12 hour day and not be paid overtime?

another question in this line is what is the liability of the company if a worker is killed or injured after falling asleep driving home or to work?
Thanks!

P.S. my employer is pretty fair about this and the above questions do not in any way relate to our working conditions. We would have no one left!

another question in this line is what is the liability of the company if a worker is killed or injured after falling asleep driving home or to work?

Probably none. There was an important case (in my mind) that involved a Reservist who was required to work after working a drill weekend. He died on the way home after falling asleep and the employer (WaWa) was not found to have violated USERRA or to be liable in any way for the death.

As for the other questions, the employer can establish when the work day begins and when it ends. It is possible that the employer could have you work 12 hours today (noon until midnight), then another twelve hours (midnight to noon). Twenty-four hours straight and not one of those hours requires (under Colorado laws) overtime pay.

Fair? No.

Legal? Yes.

It could be worse. Most states require overtime only for working more than 40 hours in a work week and don't require overtime on a daily basis.