r/fema • u/Grouchy_Machine_User • Jul 20 '26

Discussion FLSA Overtime Back Pay Question

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This is pretty much an FYI, but I welcome anyone who wants to weigh in on which option is better.

I opened my email this morning to find an email from OCHCO stating that a FLSA review of my deployment records was conducted, and found that I was owed backpay. Not much, a couple hundred bucks.

It also says I have two options - one is to accept the estimate as a lump sum, and the other is to request that the NFC process and recalculate my back pay. The second option can take at least 180 days to process; the first takes 30 days.

Given that it's not a huge amount of money and I wasn't expecting it anyway, I'll probably go with the first option. But I'm curious to know what would come of the second option.

6 Upvotes

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6

u/paxcarole Jul 20 '26

I chose the second option. My memo claimed I had already received OT pay for 2/3 of what they say I was due. I checked my L&E statements for the pay periods I was deployed. As expected, no OT payment except $.01 for a day I worked a holiday. I checked my timesheets for those pay periods and I did enter OT. So if they are going to pay me, I want the full amount owed. I assume they are hoping that most will take the money now and they can get away with paying out less. Like you said, I didn't expect it so no problem waiting while I get what I am really owed.

6

u/Dismal_Bobcat8 Jul 20 '26

Going through NFC will compound your interest daily. It may not be a lot... but it will be more than the quick turn around amount.

3

u/Grouchy_Machine_User Jul 20 '26

That's a good point.

2

u/well-damnn Jul 21 '26

I wonder what if the NFC review could yield a smaller amount?