Should the Travel Back to the Office from Field Work Count as Overtime?

The answer should always be a resounding yes. The time spent traveling back to the office after fieldwork, especially when it cuts into personal hours, is a legitimate extension of the workday. Employees deserve recognition—and compensation—for this additional effort. They are not automatons; they are human beings whose personal time should be respected.

When workers are sent to field locations, their travel is inherently tied to their job responsibilities. Once the fieldwork is done, the journey back doesn’t magically transform into a personal endeavor. It remains work-related, often requiring energy and focus after an already exhausting day. Denying compensation or an offset to tomorrow’s hours for this travel is essentially dismissing the value of employees’ time and effort.

Personal Time Diminished

Unpaid or providing no time shifts to an employee’s work-related travel time infringes on his personal life. Time that could be spent recharging, enjoying family, or simply decompressing is instead spent on the road—still tethered to work.

Over time, this practice can lead to burnout and declining morale. It sends the unspoken message that personal time is disposable, undermining the balance necessary for a healthy and productive workforce.

Fairness

Compensating or providing an offset to travel time is not just about legal compliance as it also speaks about your company’s fairness and the creation of trust between employer and employee.

While not every company may have clear policies regarding post-fieldwork travel, employers should take the initiative to ensure that workers feel valued. This small step can significantly improve employee satisfaction, leading to better retention and performance in the long run.

Business owners must ask themselves: what kind of workplace culture are they building? Choosing to compensate or providing offsets for travel time after fieldwork signals respect for employees’ time and contributions. It’s not merely about following labor laws but about creating a work environment that prioritizes fairness and mutual respect.

The bottom line is this: when employees feel their time is valued, they will bring their best selves to work. Addressing something as fundamental as travel time is a step in the right direction—a move that benefits both the business and its people.

After all, as we keep emphasizing: happy, well-rested employees make for a more productive and harmonious workplace. (GFB)