Overtime pay required by the FLSA is “extra pay for hours worked over 40 during a work week. 29 C.F.R. § 778.101 A workweek is any seven consecutive 24-hour periods. 29 C.F.R. § 778.103. The work week may begin at any time of day and any day of the week. 29 C.F.R. § 778.104. Work periods for firefighters, police and hospital workers may vary.

The act specifically directs an employer to pay covered employees one and one-half times their regular hourly rate for hours worked in a work week beyond 40. The time and one-half overtime premium generally is calculated by first determining the regular hourly rate of the employee. This is done by dividing the employee’s total regular pay (including salary, mandatory bonuses, incentive pay, goods, food, lodging, etc.) by the number of hours worked during the work week. 29 C.F.R. § 778.109. The calculation produces an hourly rate that is the basis upon which employers pay time and one-half for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek.