Travel Time Compensation: Are You Missing Out on Wages?
If you’re a construction worker in California, you may be missing out on wages you’re legally entitled to. One commonly overlooked issue is travel time compensation. While it may seem like your commute is “off the clock,” there are specific situations under California labor law where employers are required to pay for travel time. Understanding your rights could mean more money in your paycheck.
When Does Travel Time Count as Paid Time?
Under California law, your employer must pay for time you spend traveling as part of your job duties—not just the drive to your regular jobsite. This is especially important in the construction industry, where projects often happen at various locations and sometimes involve significant time in transit.
- Travel Between Job Sites: If your day starts at one construction site and then you’re required to drive to another, the time spent traveling is considered work time and should be compensated.
- Company-Mandated Travel: If your employer requires you to meet at the company’s office, yard, or another central location before heading to the jobsite, the time from the meeting point to the jobsite typically qualifies as compensable travel time.
- Out-of-Town Work: For construction projects that require overnight travel, all travel time outside your regular working hours may need to be paid—especially if you’re operating a company vehicle or transporting tools and equipment.
What the Law Says
California Labor Code and Wage Orders set strict guidelines about what counts as paid time. The California Industrial Welfare Commission’s Wage Order No. 16 covers the construction, drilling, logging, and mining industries. According to this wage order, time spent traveling during the workday must be paid. This includes any travel that occurs after you start your first work-related task and before your last work task ends.
The law also requires that non-exempt employees (which includes most construction workers) be paid at their regular hourly rate—at a minimum—for travel time. If traveling during overtime hours, then the travel time should be paid at overtime rates.
Common Employer Mistakes
Many employers either don’t understand the law or choose to ignore it. Here are a few ways workers may lose out on rightful wages:
- Not paying for time spent driving between job sites during the day.
- Failing to count travel time as part of the total hours worked when calculating overtime pay.
- Requiring employees to use their personal vehicles without compensation for the time or mileage.
What Can You Do?
If you think you’re not being paid properly for your travel time, start keeping detailed records. Write down the time you leave, arrive, and the locations you travel to throughout the day. Speak with your employer and ask for clarity about their travel time policy. If you’re still concerned, consider contacting the California Labor Commissioner’s Office or a labor attorney for assistance.
Know Your Rights
Travel time compensation isn’t just a benefit—it’s the law. As a construction worker in California, you work hard and deserve to be paid for every minute you’re on the job, including the time spent getting from one worksite to another. Don’t let unpaid travel time take money out of your pocket.