North Carolina - overtime question ... please help!!!

[ludasue]

I work for a private sector employer. I work Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30 and I rotate Saturdays with two other employees. When we work on Saturday we work from 8:00-12:00. We are non-exempt status. Here is my question...on the weeks that I have to work Saturday, I am required to take 1/2 day off during the workweek (M-F prior to the Saturday) in order to avoid overtime pay. Is this conisdered 'Comp' time when they make us take off during our regular work week? If so, is it illegal for them to force us to take comp time instead of overtime? I'm so confused. It has caused quite a stir in our office because we feel we should get paid for the extra 'day' of work.
Thanks so much!!!!

[LConnell]

It is legal for your employer to require you to take time off during the week to make up for extra hours to be worked later in the week, so long as it is in the same work week. Federal and North Carolina overtime rules say that overtime must be paid for hours worked over 40 in a week. It does not require payment for working 6 or 7 days during the week, so long as the time does not go over 40 during the week.

Let me know if you have any other questions.