Can Employers Deduct Partial Day Absences for Exempt Employees Vacation Time?

By Michael Ferguson

As an exempt employee, you may think that you have unlimited vacation time. However, this is not entirely true.

Employers do have the right to deduct partial day absences for vacation time, but only under certain circumstances. In this article, we will explore the rules surrounding partial day absences and vacation time for exempt employees.

What is an Exempt Employee?

Before discussing partial day absences and vacation time, let’s first define what an exempt employee is. An exempt employee is someone who is paid a salary and is exempt from overtime pay requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Exempt employees are typically executive, administrative, or professional employees.

Partial Day Absences

A partial day absence occurs when an employee misses a portion of their scheduled workday. For example, if an employee arrives at work two hours late or leaves two hours early due to personal reasons, they have incurred a partial day absence.

Vacation Time for Exempt Employees

Exempt employees typically have more flexibility in taking time off than non-exempt employees. Unlike non-exempt employees who are paid hourly and receive overtime pay for any additional hours worked beyond their normal schedule, exempt employees are paid a salary and do not receive overtime pay.

Employers may offer vacation time as part of the overall compensation package for exempt employees. However, employers cannot make deductions from an exempt employee’s salary for partial day absences unless they fall under specific circumstances.

When Can Employers Deduct Vacation Time?

Employers can only deduct vacation time when the following conditions are met:

  • The employer has established a written policy that allows for such deductions;
  • The deduction is made in full-day increments;
  • The deduction does not reduce the employee’s salary below the minimum required by law; and
  • The employee has exhausted their accrued vacation time.

For example, if an exempt employee takes a half-day off for personal reasons and does not have any accrued vacation time left, their employer can deduct four hours of vacation time from their overall balance.

Conclusion

In summary, employers can deduct partial day absences for exempt employees only under specific circumstances. Employers must have a written policy that allows for such deductions, the deduction must be made in full-day increments, the employee’s salary cannot be reduced below the minimum required by law, and the employee must have exhausted their accrued vacation time. As an exempt employee, it is essential to understand your rights and responsibilities regarding vacation time and partial day absences.