Let's Talk

Travel Time Violations

Travel Time Under the FLSA and PMWA

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act (PMWA), employees must be compensated for certain types of work-related travel.
Importantly, the PMWA offers stronger protections for workers than the FLSA with respect to travel time, because the PMWA requires compensation for a broader range of travel activities. Therefore, Pennsylvania law requires payment for travel time in many cases where federal law does not.

When Is Travel Time Compensable Under the PMWA?

Under the PMWA, travel time must be paid when (1) the travel is part of the employee’s duties, and (2) the travel occurs during normal working hours.
This is a much simpler and more worker-friendly standard than the one used by the FLSA. If you are required to travel as part of your job and the travel occurs during your normal hours, your employer must pay you for that time—regardless of whether the FLSA would require it.

Examples of Compensable Travel Time Under the PMWA

Pennsylvania law may require compensation for:

  • Driving a company vehicle to or from a job site.
  • Driving a company vehicle to or from a designated meet-up location.
  • Picking up or dropping off tools, equipment, or coworkers.
  • Traveling between multiple job sites throughout the day.
In each of these cases, if the travel is part of your work responsibilities and occurs during your usual workday, the travel generally must be paid under the PMWA.

Call Us at

Schedule a Free Case Review

Why This Matters

Even short or routine travel segments can add up over time, especially in jobs that involve frequent job site changes or large geographic areas. If you’re not being paid for this time, your employer may be violating state law, and you may be entitled to:
  • Unpaid wages.
  • Overtime premiums.
  • Liquidated damages (double the amount owed).
  • Attorneys’ fees and court costs.

You may also be able to pursue or join a class or collective action lawsuit if others were affected by the same policies.

Know Your Rights

The PMWA’s travel time rules are especially important in construction, home health care, delivery, utility work, and field-based service jobs, but they can apply in any industry.

If your employer is not paying for travel time that is part of your job duties and occurs during your normal hours, you may have a valid claim under Pennsylvania law. We can help you understand your rights and fight for the wages you’ve earned.

Contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Return To Wage And Hour Litigation Page

Call Us 24/7

To Talk With Our Team

Or

Schedule a Free Case Review
Let's Talk