{"id":376476,"date":"2017-09-11T12:30:37","date_gmt":"2017-09-11T17:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-overtime-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-01-06T13:19:25","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T18:19:25","slug":"tennessee-overtime-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-overtime-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Overtime Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tennessee Overtime Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Chris Meyers, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Working overtime can be a real burden. It takes time away from your life and personal responsibilities. One of the main benefits of working more than 40 hours a week is overtime pay; as most employees are entitled to 1.5 times their normal rate for those extra hours. That means if you typically earn $12.50 an hour, your overtime wage is $18.75.<\/p>\r\n

Overtime laws are subject to exceptions and exemptions that make some employees not qualify for overtime pay. Understanding how these laws apply<\/a> can add up to thousands of dollars more in pay each year. If you work in Tennessee, you owe it to yourself to become familiar with Tennessee overtime laws.<\/p>\r\n

Tennessee Overtime Law Summary<\/h2>\r\n

This chart highlights key provisions of Tennessee overtime laws.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

State and Federal Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Tennessee Overtime Rules<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Under FLSA, overtime pay rate is 1.5 times the employees regular rate<\/li>\r\n
  • Overtime is calculated based on the number of hours worked on a weekly basis (not daily)<\/li>\r\n
  • No laws limit the number of hours an employee can work in a week.<\/li>\r\n
  • Federal law provides 2 years to make a claim for unpaid overtime, 3 years if employer intentionally violated the law.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Overtime Calculation Methods:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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  • Hourly:<\/b> Pay time and a half over 40 hours work\/week.<\/li>\r\n
  • Hourly Plus Bonus and\/or Commission:<\/b> Regular rate = Total hours times hourly rate, plus the workweek equivalent of the bonus and\/or commission, divided by the total hours in the workweek; then pay half of that regular rate for each overtime hour.<\/li>\r\n
  • Salary:<\/b> Regular rate = Salary divided by the number of hours the salary is intended to compensate.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
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    • If the regular hours are less than 40: Add regular rate for each hour up to 40, then pay time and a half for hours over 40.<\/li>\r\n
    • If the regular hours = 40: Pay time and a half for hours over 40.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Filing a Wage Complaint<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n