Do salaried exempt employees still get their full pay during these furloughs?

Question: We’re planning to close the office a few days a week to save money. Do salaried exempt employees still get their full pay during these furloughs?

Answer from Sergio, SHRM-CP: Yes, salaried exempt employees must be paid their full weekly salary if they do any work during your designated seven-day workweek, including tasks as quick as checking work email or voicemail. As your goal is to save money, be sure the furlough covers the full workweek and that affected exempt employees understand they’re not to do any work while on furlough.

Nonexempt employees, however, only need to be paid for actual hours worked, so single-day or partial-week furloughs can be implemented without worrying about pay implications.

This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local law.

Sergio has over a decade of customer service experience including non-profit, food service, and hotel management. He graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership. In his free time Sergio loves physical fitness, spending time with family, and travelling.

Legal Disclaimer: On-Time Payroll is not engaged in the practice of law. The content in this post should not be construed as legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you have legal questions concerning your situation or the information you have obtained, you should consult with a licensed attorney. OTP cannot be held legally accountable for actions related to its receipt.