[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 3]
[Revised as of July 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR553.225]

[Page 299-300]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
         CHAPTER V--WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
 
PART 553_APPLICATION OF THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT TO EMPLOYEES OF 
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS--Table of Contents
 
   Subpart C_Fire Protection and Law Enforcement Employees of Public 
                                Agencies
 
Sec. 553.225  Early relief.

    It is a common practice among employees engaged in fire protection 
activities to relieve employees on the previous shift prior to the 
scheduled starting time. Such early relief time may occur pursuant to 
employee agreement, either expressed or implied. This practice will not 
have the effect of increasing the number of compensable hours of work 
for employees employed under section 7(k) where it is voluntary on the 
part of the employees and does not result, over a period of time, in 
their failure to receive proper compensation for all hours actually 
worked. On the other hand, if the practice is required by the employer, 
the

[[Page 300]]

time involved must be added to the employee's tour of duty and treated 
as compensable hours of work.