Overtime Compensation for Time Necessary To Change Into and Out of Work Clothes

An Air Force employee appealed the disallowance of his claim for overtime compensation for 30 minutes of time per day required to change into a uniform and back into civilian clothes incident to his employment. The claim was disallowed due to the lack of any evidence that the overtime work was authorized or that the claimant was required or induced to report early. In his appeal, the employee stated that he was required to change into and out of a white uniform on his own time before beginning his job. The employee relied on court cases of similar circumstances which authorized overtime compensation when requirements at the workplace constituted an inducement that in effect forced the employee to work extra hours. However, GAO found no evidence that the Air Force either directly or indirectly required or induced the employee to change into and out of his work clothes on his employment premises. Further, there was no proof of the amount of time actually used by the employee in changing his uniform. Accordingly, the disallowance of overtime pay was affirmed.