**The big picture:** A federal appeals court ruled that overnight travel to remote client sites for days or weeks is compensable work time under the FLSA, even if it's outside normal commuting rules. This decision impacts staffing firms that deploy workers to extended assignments away from home. **Why it matters:** This clarifies wage and hour obligations for employers, particularly staffing firms, with mobile or contingent workforces requiring extended stays away from home. It directly affects payroll, overtime calculations, and overall labor costs. **Between the lines:** - The 7th Circuit rejected the