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, and professional roles, who are paid on a salary basis.
Salary Threshold:
The FLSA sets a minimum salary threshold for these exempt employees, which was recently increased to $684 per week ($35,568 annually).
Recent Changes:
The Department of Labor recently finalized a rule that raises the salary threshold to $1,128 per week ($58,656 annually) and will update it every three years, ensuring that more lower-paid salaried workers are eligible for overtime pay.
Impact on Employees:
This change would mean that employees earning less than the new threshold, who are currently classified as exempt, would become eligible for overtime pay, ensuring they are fairly compensated for long hours.
Business Compliance:
Employers need to review their employee classifications and compensation practices to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
Current State of the Rule:
A federal judge has blocked the new overtime rule.
Next Steps:
The Department of Labor is expected to appeal the ruling.