McConnell calls for flexible comp time for working families

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) touted a bill he and Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) introduced Wednesday that would allow more U.S. workers to flexibly use comp time.

S. 1626 would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to provide employees in the private sector with an opportunity to use comp time off instead of being paid for overtime. 

{mosads}McConnell said federal employees are offered a similar benefit — a flexible credit hour program to help them balance the demands of work and family.

“We can help working Americans better balance the demands of work and family,” McConnell said on the Senate floor Thursday. “This bill will allow flexible work place arrangements. … It simply allows the option for employees to chose paid time off over work instead.”

Some Democrats don’t like the legislation because they fear some employees won’t be fairly compensated or truly get an option, but McConnell said his bill has employee protections to ensure they can “cash out” their comp time at any point.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) introduced a similar bill, S. 1623, which McConnell said he supports.

“Sen. Lee introduced a similar measure,” McConnell said. “I look forward to working with him on this issue in the future.”

The House passed a companion measure from Rep. Martha Roby (R-Ala.) — the Working Families Flexibility Act — in May. McConnell said it’s now time for the Senate to act.

“Now is the time to allow private companies to provide the benefits to their workers,” McConnell said. “Now it’s time for the Senate to act.”