59-1607. HOURS OF WORK AND OVERTIME. (1) It is the policy of the legislature of the state of Idaho that all classified and nonclassified officers and employees of the executive branch of state government shall be treated substantially similar with reference to hours of employment, holidays and vacation leave, except as provided in this chapter. For wage, hour and working conditions, the supreme court and the legislative council shall prescribe rules for employees of the judicial branch and the legislative branch, respectively. The policy of this state shall not restrict the extension of regular work hour schedules on an overtime basis, which shall be the same for classified and nonclassified employees, in those activities and duties where such extension is necessary and authorized by the appointing authority.

(2) The appointing authority of any department shall determine the necessity for overtime work and shall provide for cash compensation or compensatory time off for such overtime work for eligible classified and nonclassified officers and employees.

(3) Classified and nonclassified officers and employees who fall within one (1) or more of the following categories are ineligible for cash compensation or compensatory time for overtime work:

(a) Elected officials; or

(b) Those included in the definition of section 67-5303(j), Idaho Code.

(4) Classified and nonclassified employees who are designated as executive, as provided in section 67-5302, Idaho Code, and who are not included in the definition of subsection (3) of this section, shall be ineligible for compensatory time or cash compensation for overtime work. Such salaried employees shall report absences in excess of one-half (1/2) day. Unused compensatory time balances in excess of two hundred forty (240) hours as of the date of enactment of this act shall be forfeited on December 31, 2008. Unused compensatory time balances of two hundred forty (240) hours or less shall be forfeited on December 31, 2006. Employees who become executives within their current agency as set forth in section 67-5302(12), Idaho Code, shall have twelve (12) months from the date of this act or of appointment, whichever is later, to use any compensatory time balance. After twelve (12) months, any remaining compensatory time will be forfeited. Compensatory time is not transferable, and shall be forfeited at the time of transfer to another appointing authority or upon separation from state service.

(5) Classified and nonclassified officers and employees who are designated as administrative or professional as provided in the federal fair labor standards act, or who are designated as exempt under any other complete exemption in federal law, and who are not included in the definition of subsection (3) of this section, shall be ineligible for cash compensation for overtime work unless cash payment is authorized by the state board of examiners for overtime accumulated during unusual or emergency situations, but such classified and nonclassified officers and employees shall be allowed compensatory time off from duty for overtime work. Such compensatory time shall be earned and allowed on a one (1) hour for one (1) hour basis, shall not be transferable, and shall be forfeited at the time of transfer to another appointing authority or upon separation from state service. Compensatory time may be accrued and accumulated up to a maximum of two hundred forty (240) hours. Effective with the first pay period in July, 2008 (beginning date June 15, 2008), compensatory time balances in excess of two hundred forty (240) hours will not continue to accrue until the balance is below the maximum. After the last pay period in June, 2009 (ending date June 13, 2009), balances in excess of two hundred forty (240) hours shall be forfeited.

(6) Classified and nonclassified officers and employees who are not designated as executive, administrative or professional as provided in this section, and who are not included in the definition of subsection (3) of this section or who are not designated as exempt under any other complete exemption in federal law, shall be eligible for cash compensation or compensatory time off from duty for overtime work, subject to the restrictions of applicable federal law. Compensatory time off may be provided in lieu of cash compensation at the discretion of the appointing authority after consultation, in advance, with the employee. Compensatory time off shall be paid at the rate of one and one-half (1 1/2) hours for each overtime hour worked. Compensatory time off which has been earned during any one-half (1/2) fiscal year but not taken by the end of the succeeding one-half (1/2) fiscal year, shall be paid in cash on the first payroll following the close of such succeeding one-half (1/2) fiscal year. Compensatory time not taken at the time of transfer to another appointing authority or upon separation from state service shall be liquidated at the time of such transfer or separation by payment in cash.

(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, employees may be paid for overtime work during a disaster or emergency with the approval of the board of examiners.

History:

[59-1607, added 1977, ch. 307, sec. 16, p. 877; am. 1983, ch. 87, sec. 1, p. 182; am. 1986, ch. 133, sec. 10, p. 354; am. 1990, ch. 368, sec. 1, p. 1005; am. 1996, ch. 120, sec. 1, p. 434; am. 2004, ch. 299, sec. 1, p. 834; am. 2006, ch. 380, sec. 5, p. 1179; am. 2008, ch. 196, sec. 1, p. 617.]