Time for time (TvT) and compensation hours: everything you need to know

Do you work more than your contractures? Then you sometimes get those extra hours not paid out, but back in free time. This is called “time for time”, or TvT. In this blog, we explain what compensation hours are, how TvT works and what your rights are.

What is Time for Time (TvT)?

Time for Time, or TvT, means that instead of financial compensation for extra hours worked, you get this time back at a later time in the form of free hours. This is also known as compensation hours. TvT is particularly common in collective agreements and sectors where flexibility in working hours is important.

What exactly are compensation hours?

Compensation hours are extra hours that you work on top of your contract hours, and for which you later receive time off instead of payment. These hours are often registered and built up via a time registration system. Other names for compensation hours are time for time or TVT hours.

Bottom line: time for time and compensation hours mean the same thing.

How does time for time work in practice?

You accrue compensation hours when you work more than agreed in your contract, but without overtime in the classic sense (with an allowance). Instead, you agree with your employer that you will take that time off later.

For example:
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• On Friday, you work 2 hours longer than your schedule.
• In consultation, you will take those 2 hours as free time on Tuesday morning.

What are contract hours and compensation hours?

Contract hours are the hours you have to work per week under your employment contract. For example, 32 hours a week. If you structurally work more than your contractures, this can lead to building up compensation hours.
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Compensation hours or overtime: what's the difference?

The difference lies mainly in the remuneration: time versus money. Note: overtime usually only accrues above a full-time working week (e.g. 36 or 40 hours), while compensation hours can also occur part-time. Overtime can be converted to furlough.
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• Compensation hours (time before time): free time in exchange for extra hours worked.
• Overtime: financial compensation, often with an additional charge.
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📚 Read more about this overtime and additional hours.

Time for time or payout? What is allowed or necessary?

Whether compensation hours are mandatory or can be paid out depends on your collective labor agreement or employment contract.
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• In some collective agreements, it is mandatory to take time for time within a certain period of time.
• In other cases, you can choose: withdraw or withdraw.

When do compensation hours expire?

Compensation hours usually expire if you don't take them within a certain period. This may vary by collective labor agreement:
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• Some collective agreements have a period of 6 months
• Other collective agreements give 5 years
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Before 2024, it is therefore important to check when your accrued compensation hours expire. Search your collective labor agreement or ask HR.

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Calculate compensation hours

Calculating compensation hours is important to understand how much extra free time you have accrued. You usually do this based on the extra time worked compared to your contract hours.
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Example:

• You have a contract of 32 hours a week.
• You'll be working 36 hours this week.
• You have then accrued 4 compensation hours.
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Please note:

• In some cases, extra hours are only compensated from a certain amount, for example after 30 minutes.
• The structure can be 1-on-1 (1 hour of work = 1 hour off), but there may also be different agreements within your collective labor agreement or organization.
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A correct calculation starts with a good time registration. So use an app or tool that allows you to easily compare hours worked with your schedule or contract.
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The importance of good time registration

Good time registration is crucial for the correct structure of compensation hours. It prevents discussions, provides insight into your work-life balance, and helps you take up accrued time in a timely manner.
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Preferably use a digital tool or time registration app. This provides an overview and prevents you from losing rights.

Time for time in collective agreements such as the VVT

In sectors such as Nursing, Care and Home Care (VVT), time for time appointments is quite normal. The VVT collective labor agreement, for example, contains specific guidelines on the accrual and recording of compensation hours.

Always check the collective labor agreement that applies to your sector to know which rules apply to you.

Conclusion

Time for time — or compensation hours — is a convenient way to incorporate extra work into free time later. But there are rules, agreements and expiration dates that you need to know well. So make sure you have an accurate time record, check your collective labor agreement, and make clear agreements with your employer.
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