Is there an "upside" to being a salaried employee?

I was always under the impression that part of the "deal' with being a salaried (exempt) employee was that while your hours may not always be M-F 9-5 (meaning you may have to work on a weekend or before/after hours) you have more flexability with your schedule.

Is this incorrect?

Re: Is there an "upside" to being a salaried employee?

every company has its own terms on this. it can go a lot of ways. you need to look at you hire agreement or company handbook to see how they spell it out

Re: Is there an "upside" to being a salaried employee?

Ever company, and perhaps industry, handles it differently. My husband worked for a CPA firm and their very clear policy was that everyone is an adult...get your work done and the rest of the day is yours...just don't abuse it. I, on the other hand, have never worked for a company that was that flexible.

Generally, you are required to put in a standard day as defined by your employer. Salaried employees are expected to get the work done regarless of how many hours are required to do so. Of course, the expection on the employee is that this will not be abused as well.

As far as advantages to being salaried (generally):
Higher overall earnings
More responsiblity
More potential for job growth
Benefits (usually, but not always, salaried employees receive more in regard to benefits - PTO, Health Insurance participation, etc.)


The major difference between exempt (salaried) and non-exempt (hourly) are the overtime rules.

Re: Is there an "upside" to being a salaried employee?

I woulnd't trade my OT for an exempt spot. I make more this way.

Re: Is there an "upside" to being a salaried employee?

Message edited 1/30/2009 10:29:16 AM.

Re: Is there an "upside" to being a salaried employee?

At my job, I get flex time and hourly employees do not. That's the only difference though.

ETA - I just thought of another thing. Our hourlies can have their hours cut if management sees fit. Salaried employees can not, so as long as they're still employed, they're guaranteed their biweekly paycheck in the same amount.

Message edited 1/21/2009 7:01:01 PM.

Re: Is there an "upside" to being a salaried employee?

Im salaried and my hours are not flexble
and I cannot work from home ( even though all i need is a computer and a phone line)

Re: Is there an "upside" to being a salaried employee?

Also paid vacation...I am not sure hoirly employees are entitled to this.