In May 2016, the Obama Administration announced new regulations that would increase the number of American entitled to receive time-and-a-half overtime pay. Salaried workers who earn up to $46,476 per year are now entitled to earn time-and-a-half pay when they work more than 40 hours per week. The previous regulations, issued in 2004, set the threshold for overtime pay at $23,660. The Labor department estimates that 4.2 million workers will become newly eligible for overtime pay under the new regulations. Proponents argue that the rule is necessary due to inflation and note that only 7% of salaried workers currently qualify for overtime pay in 2015, down sharply from 60% in 1975. Opponents argue that the new rules will hurt employers and incentivize them to cut their employee’s hours.
Narrow down the conversation to these participants:
Zipcode:
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes
@9FJFM352yrs2Y
If you are in school and the teacher tells you that you have to do a 40 page long essay but expressly says that it will not affect your grade, would you do it? If you are not compensated for your effort then the only reason that you should work a job or complete a project is 1) out of need or necessity to yourself, or 2) because you want to do it.
@9F7Q6T52yrs2Y
i just think that its a win win to rasie pay for overtime hours cuz if you make more for over time it would make more people take said hours
@9FNVSG92yrs2Y
Most of the thousands of illegal people, even low come workers only receive benefit from overtime pay, the current salary isn't enough, therefore most people rely on overtime pay to help pay bills and live paycheck to paycheck.
@9FPSC4J2yrs2Y
No, because the government should not be regulating that. It should be between you and employer, not between the government and employer. Find a different job if they do not pay you your worth.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes, and all employees should be paid time-and-a-half for overtime hours regardless of their pay scale
@9F7QJTC2yrs2Y
if you are working more than required because you either want more money or need it it should be available and it is harder work than regular because you are tired and already worked.
@9G4QPBV2yrs2Y
Just because you have a higher pay scale than someone else, you shouldn't be put at a disadvantage with overtime hours. Currently, that salary must be 35k or below, which already is a very low amount. It doesn't make sense for someone who only has a salary a few thousand higher to no longer be allowed to earn the same type of pay as those low income people, but still work the same amount of hours. Doing that removes the incentive to work more than the bare minimum for the vast majority of job positions.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No
@9F7QJTC2yrs2Y
if you are working more than required because you either want more money or need it it should be available and it is harder work than regular because you are tired and already worked.
@9FNVSG92yrs2Y
Most workers will struggle, without overtime pay they will lose the opportunity to feed themselves and their families minium wage isn;t reliable and even current pay of a 9-5 isn't enough to even support one person.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No, our economy and businesses cannot afford a decrease in worker productivity right now
There's already not enough workers, and the ones who do work are being underpaid. The cost of living and poverty rates are going up, we need to combat it.
@3V73MTMProgressive 2yrs2Y
Corporate profits are at record high year of year with no stutter during the pandemic. Workers need to be compensated for their work and Biden's NLRB has been unprecedentedly more progressive than anyone could have expected-- to the benefit of all Americans.
@9FF8MZW2yrs2Y
I strongly agree workers should be paid what they work. Overtime is a huge thing for overworked people in the US to get paid equal.
While it is a noble sentiment to ensure workers are compensated fairly for overtime, one must also consider the potential repercussions on small businesses. For instance, many small businesses operate on slim margins and may not be able to afford the increased costs. This could potentially lead to job cuts or reduced hours, negating the intended benefits of the policy.
Moreover, it may inadvertently promote a culture of overwork, which can have serious implications for employee health and well-being. A study by Stanford University found that productivity per hour declines sharply when a person… Read more
@3V73MTMProgressive 2yrs2Y
Small businesses have a responsibility to be honest for the benefit of all employees. If employees are working overtime, they need to be compensated period. If small businesses can’t afford to compensate their workers, they have a responsibility to let some of their staff go.
Especially in cases where businesses know this is a potential reality on the outset, they should be held accountable for not implementing safeguards for their employees (or otherwise not hiring).
@9F5X5VJ2yrs2Y
Workers deserve to be fairly compensated for their labor, and wage theft already depresses workers' wages in a number of instances. If a business cannot survive without intentionally underpaying its workers, it does not have a sustainable business model and should shut down.
While I agree that fair compensation is crucial, it's also important to remember that not all businesses have the same financial capabilities. For instance, small businesses may struggle with the additional costs of overtime pay due to tight budgets. Wouldn't it be possible for such businesses to go under, thereby leading to job losses? How can we strike a balance between fair compensation and the sustainability of all types of businesses?
@9FNVSG92yrs2Y
The workers are the backbone of society and help run the economy, without them the entire system and business will lose money and go out of business proper care of these worker needs to happen or else these will be the consequences for the economy and businesses.
@4WW5X8K5yrs5Y
Yes but only given the current circumstance. We are and should accelerate moving from employee/employer model too a contracter model. Benefits, pensions, etc cause corruption and impede the understanding of the employee.
@xanderlaneLibertarian5yrs5Y
Yes, but only businesses with 100+ employees
@DSNEPatriot 2yrs2Y
No, but I would admire any business that chose to do so. The government should limit regulations on private businesses.
@8N5RTHJ5yrs5Y
If they work over hours and get work done then they should be paid. If they are hanging around and doing nothing for extra money no they shouldn't be paid.
@B2TYTFTRepublican 8mos8MO
Yes, Hourly employees should be paid time-and-a-half for overtime hours regardless of their pay scale
@8Y9NDSQ4yrs4Y
Yes, and all employees should be paid time-and-a-half for overtime hours regardless of their pay scale. But the businesses should require it, NOT the government.
@4WVZVSQ5yrs5Y
It depends on how many hours the employee is working.
@8FFDX245yrs5Y
Yes, but only for large businesses
@8TYH38SIndependent3yrs3Y
No, only for large corporations
@8TYH38SIndependent3yrs3Y
No, the employees should only be entitled to premium pay of 25% on their hourly rate if they have overtime work more than 60 hours in a calendar year
@8XGLVPR4yrs4Y
Yes, anyone should have the opportunity to earn money if they work extra hours in a day or week.
@8WX2B454yrs4Y
Required by law - no. This should be a decision by the business itself. Such benefits may provide an advantage in hiring/retaining talented employees, giving the business a competitive advantage.
@8LGSQVT5yrs5Y
Yes, depending on the size and income of the business as well as number of employers
@8WJFGM94yrs4Y
Yes but only for big corporations
@8TLGR9L4yrs4Y
Yes, but only for large corporations, not small businesses
@B7FJ23K1wk1W
Yes, and this should be done up to a salary of $100k to keep businesses from utilizing their middle managers like slaves. And reduce the work week gradually as workers move toward retirement age by allowing them to collect soc sec earlier to balance it out.
@B7DZXNV2wks2W
Yes, and all employees should be paid at least time-and-a-half for overtime hours regardless of their pay scale
@B7DXJJK2wks2W
Yes, but only pay them for however much overtime they worked. If a worker works an hour, they get paid for another hour of work.
@B7C44R92wks2W
Employee rights must be protected but it is up to the business to determine what the employee is worth.
@B7C3SBP2wks2W
Yes, but it should be counted as extra work for completing projects and other things, not just 20 minutes of OT.
@B7BPJLG2wks2W
Both, "Yes, and all employees should be paid time-and-a-half for overtime hours regardless of their pay scale" and "Yes, and the government should do more to protect workers’ rights".
@B79VWFZ2wks2W
Yes, but put a time cap on it. Like a worker has to work a specific amount of time in order to earn time-and-a-half pay.
@B79V6DWRepublican2wks2W
Yes, and every year they have to release how much they increased their pay by along with how much they profited and how much they increased their prices every single year along with the average salary of each occupation
@B77HK5W3wks3W
Yes, the government needs to protect workers rights. AND all employees regardless of pay scale should be paid for time-and-a-half
@B77D4ZT3wks3W
Yes, but only for salaried positions that frequently require overtime like teachers, nurses, or first responders
@B74G2BR 3wks3W
Not only should workers be comped for their efforts working overtime with being paid time-and-a-half, but the overtime money should not be taxed.
@B72YJGT4wks4W
All workers should be paid an hourly wage for an expected number of hours each week and any hours over that should be paid overtime.
@B724HND4wks4W
Employees should choose if they want to work overtime, and if they do they should be paid their regular wage.
@B6Z6P724wks4W
Only if the businesses can also cut the employees pay if they do not work their full contracted amount of hours. Businesses should also be regulated and monitored for over working salaried employees as well, maybe by setting a max number of overtime hours allowed.
@B6YTM544wks4W
Overtime for hourly workers making under whatever the livable wage is for the cost of living in their area.
@B6XF7TS4wks4W
Yes, but there should be exemptions for small businesses. It should also be adjusted for inflation every few years.
No, overtime is exploitative, overworks employees, and suppresses the job market, we should raise base wages and limit working hours instead.
@B6P9NPQ1mo1MO
They should because the modern middle class income range is now about 100,000 dollars, meaning that they won't be able to live a moderatly comfortable life. Middle class workers can also contribute by being able to support their childrens education in university, creating more jobs in the future.
This is an investment
@B3VGV2T 1mo1MO
The U.S. government's stance, through the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), is that salaried employees earning below a certain threshold are entitled to overtime pay (time-and-a-half) for working over 40 hours a week, but the specific threshold has been a subject of recent legal challenges. While a $46k/year threshold is not currently the federal standard, recent proposed changes and ongoing legal efforts aim to restore overtime eligibility for more salaried workers. The debate centers on balancing worker protections with business costs and the appropriate salary level to determine overti… Read more
@B6GBD6K2mos2MO
Raise minimum wage for large corporations only. Allow small businesses to pay low wages based on it's own needs, or simply pay through comission.
@B6FZ24K2mos2MO
I’m confused what the question is asking and do not understand the explanation. I will do whatever it takes to be more informed on this matter.
@B6FWZDS2mos2MO
No because that’s not very economically good for small businesses but big corporations should pay these workers especially if they are evil and greedy government should take all their money away and give it to workers of those businesses that’s good for workers and good punishment against the greedy who ruined society maybe not the good big businesses though
@B642MZC3mos3MO
Yes, and this should be done regardless of their pay scale, and should do more to protect workers' rights
@B5WH8XB4mos4MO
It's more intricate than it looks on the surface, and I do not believe it is a yes nor no, but I feel people should be paid for going over, so I cannot make a final decision.
@B5VXSRC 4mos4MO
No, it's up to the employees themselves to negociate their salary they earn from their employers, including if they earn more for overtime hours.
@B5T447N 4mos4MO
No, but businesses need to be upfront about their overtime pay policies so the worker can choose to do the work or not.
@B5H9LXY5mos5MO
Fair Trade for the Outsourcing of American JOBS HARGE every CHILD LABOR Product Minimum Wage as it Enters American Soil to The Manufacturer and Distribute Funds to Employees Solves Problems Instantly 💯%
@B59DFPZ5mos5MO
I mean no b/c if there already making that a year they are okay, they can pay them at least $5 a hour, you have to think about the lower income people too. Poor people don't make a lot and are every every tight on money at least they can do is donate some money to the poor
@B4S4QRZ6mos6MO
Yes, and all employees who are not deemed exempt should be paid time-and-a-half for overtime hours regardless of their pay scale.
@B4Q9C9ZLibertarian6mos6MO
No, although I would like business to pay employees making $46K per year time and a half for overtime hours, the government should not require this
@B4PVGDL6mos6MO
No, everyone should be allowed overtime pay regardless of salary or hourly, but the government should not be responsible for requiring it.
@B4FCJW4Republican6mos6MO
No, for the sake of fair pay, freedom, capitalism, federalism, weak government, and checks and balances.
@B4D6KHP6mos6MO
No, for the sake of low unemployment, fair pay, a good GDP, a good supply chain, good trade, freedom, capitalism, federalism, weak government, and checks and balances.
@B4CSJFP6mos6MO
No the government should not require businesses to pay salaried employees, making up to 46k per year for time and half for overtime hours because it probably will cause employees to just cut some hours out and will not incentivize to work longer versus cutting their hours.
@B3ZYM5D7mos7MO
No, we have to preserve capitalism, a weak-central government, checks and balances, freedom, and federalism; instead, it should be up to the businesses whether or not to do so
@B3VGV2T 7mos7MO
Yes, the government should require businesses to pay salaried employees, making up to $46,000/year, time-and-a-half for overtime hours, as this aligns with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and ensures fair compensation for long hours.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
FLSA Overtime Requirements:
The FLSA mandates that most employees receive overtime pay at a rate of not less than time-and-a-half their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
Exemptions:
However, the FLSA includes exemptions for certain employees, including those in executive, administrative,… Read more
@B3PFCG57mos7MO
No, you should be paid for over time but if the company makes it clear that they do not pay more for overtime that is their own decision
@B3KVZGJ 7mos7MO
You signed the contract for the job. The government cannot force the company to do anything for you.
@B352ZDC8mos8MO
This should be a negotiated part of an employment contract, but no worker should ever be compelled to work overtime or be reprise against for refusing to work in excess of the contacted hours.
@B33XPRJLibertarian8mos8MO
Employees should just make sure that they get paid properly for their time if it bothers them. No government interference.
@B2R684N8mos8MO
No, government should not force people to pay more than they work. People should get paid for what they do.
@B2Q9CDP8mos8MO
All employees who work overtime should be paid at the very least the same hours that they would if they weren’t working overtime.
@B2LN8M78mos8MO
It should be whatever the business wants to pay them. If the workers feel they are being treated unfairly they can quit.
No, we should not have to work overtime to make a living. Overtime hours are taxed heavily and can cause unwanted stress/anxiety for the employees. Fair wages and ability to have a living is vital for anybody on this earth. We are all human!
@B2HDPPX9mos9MO
companies should be required to pay over time for any salaried employee over an extra 5 hr/week worked
@B2GNM4P9mos9MO
Yes, except for CEOs, managers, and the equivalent who are making a significant amount more than their employees, and there should be strict limits on how much overtime one can work based on industry.
@B2G558D9mos9MO
the rule for salaried employee should be stricter so that companies are not rolling employees into this category just to make them work for free
The government should encourage businesses to pay overtime to such workers but should abstain from forcing businesses to do so
@B28WXD59mos9MO
No, the market will eventually sort out employers that unfairly treat workers from employers that fairly compensate their workers.
@B24VGZX10mos10MO
All over time should be eliminated we should dramatically increase minimum salary or minimum wage localize it down to the county level to reflect 40% of the county median income only if a refundable tax credit is add to assist the increase for all companies.
@9ZYYV56Republican10mos10MO
they should pay them more depending on what the situation is and what type of company it is. if the company is a multi million dallar company then giving some more to a salary-man putting in extra work to help make sure the company strives then it should be fine, if it's just some guy wanting to get more money while doing nothing but just watching the clock then no.
@9ZYLLDM10mos10MO
if they work overtime they deserve the money for it no matter how much they make but obviously if they never worked overtime they shouldn't get that money
@9ZY944SRepublican10mos10MO
yes, but employees can sign this away if they want to work the overtime without time-and-a-half as otherwise overtime could become limited
@9ZWJP7X10mos10MO
Business should be incentivized to do this through tax breaks or other other means mutually beneficial to their employees
yes and no. yes if you are working overtime you should be paid extra. but the point of salary is to avoid these unforseen costs. i would say the problem is salary at 46,000. a 46000 dollar salary should be illegal. thats less than 4k you arent living well on that.
@LoneLupari11mos11MO
An overtime pay should be required by law for salaried employees. However, companies should be allowed to determine specifics of said overtime pay.
@9XHFG4X11mos11MO
Maybe on a scale that targets businesses like Amazon that rely on stretching workers to and often past endurance, on the cheap, and replace them when they tire out. MUCH harder to justify for small businesses.
@9XC5W8W11mos11MO
Yes, but the government should mandate a living wage that indexes to inflation, ensuring all workers have the ability to provide for themselves and their families without overtime being necessary in addition to time-and-a-half overtime pay.
@9X7MDR211mos11MO
Very strange question. There should be laws that control this. Employment Standards. Government should just create the laws and courts should help on enforcement.
@9WZHWD711mos11MO
Companies should pay employees for hours required out of normal hours. For example if an employee choses to work longer hours and receives benefit of doing such or bonuses they should not receive time and a half. But if an employer requires someone to work obscure hours or longer than 12 hour days out of the home, they should. Remote and home workers should not receive additional pay.
@9WV884F12mos12MO
I think overtime should be a choice for the employee(s). Now if it's mandatory overtime than I think the employer should pay the employee(s)time and half I think anyone that works mandatory overtime, the government should NOT tax that employee.
@9WN4ZVT12mos12MO
Businesses should pay employees fairly. They wouldn’t make the money if employees didn’t work so hard.
@9WKX3CS12mos12MO
Yes, however if the business is slowly going under because of it, they should be able to opt out of it for a set amount of time until they have the funds to pay their workers.
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
Join in on more popular conversations.
