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Congress·Reported·H.R. 2262

House bill targets overtime rules by excluding voluntary after-hours training time from paid work hours

Flexibility for Workers Education Act

2 months ago·View on Congress.gov
Part of: House Advances Legislative Package to Overhaul Labor and Retirement Standards

Legislative Progress

✗ House

209–215

Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill says if you go to a class or training outside your normal work hours, that time usually would not count as “hours worked” for pay or overtime.
  • It only applies when the training is truly optional, your employer can’t punish you for skipping it, and you don’t do actual work for the employer during it.
  • The rule would apply even if your employer helps set up the training (like hosting a lecture or paying for a course), as long as it meets the conditions.
  • For workers, this could mean less chance of getting paid (or earning overtime) for after-hours training, but employers may offer more optional learning without worrying about wage rules.
  • If Congress passes it and it becomes law, it would apply going forward to work time after the day it takes effect, not retroactively.
Labor EmploymentEducation

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Negative Impacts(4)
Housing Assistance
Hurts
Chronic Illness
Hurts
Child Tax Credit
Hurts
Renter
Hurts
Mixed Impacts(1)
Union Member
Neutral
Positive Impacts(1)
Small Business Owner
Helps

Milestones

3 milestones19 actions
Jan 13, 2026House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Jan 13, 2026House

On passage Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 215 (Roll no. 19).

Jan 13, 2026

Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On passage Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 215 (Roll no. 19).

Jan 13, 2026House

On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 213 (Roll no. 18).

Jan 13, 2026House

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H692-693)

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Weeks to a few months after enactment

Employers update training policies, timekeeping, and “voluntary” participation rules.

Many workplaces would likely add clearer language saying training is optional and separate from paid work time, and managers may be told not to punish workers who skip.

Months after enactment as training cycles and reviews occur

Workers and employers test what counts as “voluntary” and “no adverse action.”

Disputes may arise if a worker believes they were quietly penalized (fewer hours, worse shifts, missed promotions) for skipping training, even if the employer says it was optional.

Vote Results

2 votes
HouseFailedAmendmentJan 13, 2026

On Motion to Recommit

209
213
Democrat
209 – 0 · 4
Republican
0 – 213 · 5
View full roll call
HouseFailedPassageJan 13, 2026

On Passage

209
215
Democrat
0 – 209 · 4
Republican
209 – 6 · 3
View full roll call

Related Bills

1 bill
H.Res. 988Related bill

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2988) to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to specify requirements concerning the consideration of pecuniary and non-pecuniary factors, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2262) to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude certain activities from hours worked, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2270) to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude child and dependent care services and payments from the rate used to compute overtime compensation; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2312) to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise the definition of the term ''tipped employee'', and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4366) to clarify the treatment of 2 or more employers as joint employers under the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

Jan 13 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Flexibility for Workers Education Act

Bill NumberHR 2262
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
R: 2

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.