As the HR Representative you identified an opportunity to offer a training program on Microsoft Excel for employees. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is often listed as a job requirement for higher level positions within your organization. You noticed that internal candidates were not meeting the eligibly requirements to apply for these positions because they had no experience in Excel.

You contracted with an instructor from the local community college to teach a four part training course (one hours per week) that would grant a Microsoft Excel Certification upon successful completion. Since your normal business hours are Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm you decided to schedule the training course on Tuesdays from 5pm-6pm. Five employees signed up for and completed the course. A month later one of the employees, Jared, applied and was offered a promotional opportunity based on his newly acquired skill. Success!

Another employee, Mallory, who completed the training course and also applied for the same job that Jared got has come to you with a concern about not being paid for the four hours of training.

Based on the information from the Wage & Hour Division fact sheet, do you have to pay the employees for the 4 hours of training? Why or Why not?