Subtopics Breaks & Meal Periods Flexible Schedules Family & Medical Leave Full-time Employment Holidays Job Sharing Night Work & Shift Work Overtime Part-time Employment Recordkeeping & Reporting Sick Leave Travel Time Vacation Leave Weekend Work

Work Hours

Night Work & Shift Work

Extra pay for working night shifts is a matter of agreement between the employer and the employee (or the employee's representative). The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require extra pay for night work. However, the FLSA does require that covered, nonexempt workers be paid not less than time and one-half the employee's regular rate for time worked over 40 hours in a workweek.

DOL Web Pages on This Topic

"Is Extra Pay Required For Weekend Or Night Work?"
Information about night work from the elaws FLSA Advisor.

Coverage Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Fact sheet on who is covered by the FLSA.

Related Web Pages on This Topic

Plain Language About Shift Work (PDF)
A report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health on the hazards associated with shift and night work.