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New Hampshire Reporting Time Pay (Two-Hour Minimum)

active

New Hampshire requires employers to pay employees a minimum of 2 hours of pay when the employee reports to work as scheduled and is sent home before completing 2 hours of work. The pay must be at the employee's regular rate or the applicable minimum wage, whichever is greater. This provides a floor of compensation for employees who make themselves available for work.

Jurisdiction
NH (state)
Law Type
Reporting Time Pay
Status
active
Citation
RSA 275:43-a
Effective Date
1987-01-01
Last Verified
2026-01-15
Record Updated
2026-01-15

Applicability

Employee Types
non-exempt
Age Groups
adult, 16-17

Requirements

Reporting Time Pay
Minimum Hours
2
Rate
regular rate of pay or minimum wage, whichever is greater
Trigger
Employee reports to work as scheduled and is sent home before completing 2 hours of work.
Description
An employee who reports to work as scheduled must be paid for at least 2 hours at their regular rate or the applicable minimum wage, whichever is greater, even if the employer sends them home before 2 hours of work is completed.
Exceptions
Acts Of God
The reporting time pay requirement may not apply when conditions beyond the employer's control, such as severe weather, utility failures, or other emergencies, prevent work from being performed.

Penalties

Employers who fail to pay reporting time pay may be subject to enforcement action by the New Hampshire Department of Labor, including back pay claims and penalties.

Statute of limitations: 3 years

Notes

New Hampshire's 2-hour minimum reporting time pay is lower than many other states with similar provisions (Connecticut and DC require 4 hours, Massachusetts requires 3 hours). The rate must be at least the minimum wage, which in New Hampshire is the federal minimum wage rate.

Sources