The question of whether or not employees get paid for training? New employees are asked to come in and train on certain equipment before their actual start date. Does this time have to be recorded and paid?

Also, are medical or dental assistances considered exempt from Overtime Pay, if they are currently paid hourly? And if not, should this be calculated based on 8 hours per day or 40 hours per workweek?

Thanks, helping out first time employers and want to prevent problems.

I cannot imagine any circumstances in which an employee can be required to come and be trained without being paid for it. I believe that they only have to be paid at minimum wage, regardless of what they are paid while working (one of the payroll people can tell us if I'm wrong) but you can't make an employee come in for training and require them to do it unpaid.

In your state overtime is calculated at 40 hours per week, not 8 in a day. I am about 99% certain that you do not need to include insurance allowances but again, wait for one of the payroll people to corroborate that.

I agree with cbg. This is definitely "work time" for which you must be paid, although payment at minimum wage is allowable, as long as they tell you that before you start the training.


What "medical and dental assistances" are you talking about? :confused:

What "medical and dental assistances" are you talking about? :confused:

I think the OP meant assistants. I don't think most would qualify to be exempt, but a dental hygienist would, even if paid hourly.


Practice of Law or Medicine

An employee holding a valid license or certificate permitting the practice of law or medicine is exempt if the employee is actually engaged in such a practice. An employee who holds the requisite academic degree for the general practice of medicine is also exempt if he or she is engaged in an internship or resident program for the profession. The salary and salary basis requirements do not apply to bona fide practitioners of law or medicine.