Wage and compensation mistakes are among the most costly legal exposures EMS agencies face and they are far more common than most leaders realize. Complex scheduling, multiple pay rates, stipends, differentials, bonuses, and unique overtime scenarios make EMS payroll compliance especially challenging. When compensation systems or reliance on payroll service providers don’t align with federal and state wage laws, organizations risk lawsuits, regulatory penalties, back pay liability, damaged employee trust, and significant financial loss.
This session will unpack the most significant legal risks surrounding pay practices in EMS, with a practical focus on multiple pay rates and overtime compliance. We will explore how the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) applies to EMS operations, how weighted-average overtime must be calculated when employees earn different rates, and where agencies most often get into trouble with stipends, bonuses, travel time, training hours, standby time, and different duty assignments. Special attention will be given to common myths, “industry habits” that don’t meet legal standards, and the compliance mistakes that plaintiff attorneys love to find.
Participants will gain a clear understanding of how to evaluate their current compensation structure, identify areas of risk, and implement strategies that both comply with the law and support workforce morale. This session is designed for EMS executives, finance and payroll leaders, HR professionals, and operational leaders who will leave with practical guidance, real-world examples, and a checklist to help ensure their organization is paying employees accurately, fairly, and legally.
