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Congress·Reported·H.R. 2870

House Bill Proposes Allowing Private Sector Workers to Choose Paid Time Off Instead of Overtime Pay

Working Families Flexibility Act of 2025

about 1 month ago·View on Congress.gov
Part of: Legislative Push for Private-Sector Overtime Flexibility

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill would change federal labor laws to let private-sector workers choose paid time off instead of cash for working overtime. For every hour of overtime worked, an employee would earn 1.5 hours of 'comp time' to use for personal or family needs.
  • To be eligible, an employee must have worked at least 1,000 hours for their employer over the past year. The choice must be completely voluntary, and the law would ban employers from forcing or threatening workers to take time off instead of money.
  • Workers could save up to 160 hours of this time off. If the time is not used by the end of the year, or if the worker leaves their job, the employer must pay them the cash value of that time at their highest pay rate.
  • While this offers more flexibility for things like school events or doctor visits, employers can deny a specific request to use the time if it would 'unduly disrupt' business operations. However, workers can change their minds and request a cash payout for their saved hours at any time.
  • The program is designed as a five-year test period. During this time, the government will track how many people use the option and whether employers are following the rules or if workers are filing complaints about being pressured.
Labor Employment

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

3 milestones6 actions
Feb 12, 2026House

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 422.

Feb 12, 2026House

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-496.

Nov 20, 2025House

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.

Nov 20, 2025House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Apr 10, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 30 days of enactment

If enacted, the Department of Labor must update employer notice materials within 30 days to explain the new comp time rules

Employers and workers would get official guidance on how the new option works, including rights and protections

Shortly after enactment

Private-sector employers could begin offering comp time instead of overtime cash pay

Millions of hourly workers would have a new choice: bank paid time off at 1.5x their overtime hours, or keep getting paid in cash as they do now

2 years after enactment, then annually for 4 more years

GAO begins reporting to Congress on how the program is working, including complaints and enforcement data

Congress would get hard data on whether workers are being pressured and whether the program is helping families, potentially shaping whether it becomes permanent

Related Bills

1 bill
S. 1158Related bill

Working Families Flexibility Act of 2025

Mar 26 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Working Families Flexibility Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 2870
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 422.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.