JDSupra (04/12/2012)

Employers must ensure that nonexempt employees under the Fair
Labor Standards Act are properly compensated for all hours
worked, including overtime. They also must be compensated for
time they spend waiting for an assignment, because they are not
free to leave. Time spent at seminars, lectures, and training
programs is compensable if their attendance is required, whether
during or after normal work hours. Nonexempt employees also must
be compensated for off-the-clock time if they begin working
before the regular workday commences, even if the time is not
recorded on the time sheet, and work brought home and e-mails
answered before or after the regular workday are compensable as
well. To avoid violations of overtime requirements, employers
should ensure that nonexempt employees do not perform work
outside their regular work schedule without prior approval.