 |
 |
Friends, We have some serious concerns about the proposed changes to the FLSA overtime regulations and the impact these changes may have on the way we do business at Research and Extension. As you know, the proposed rule sets the salary level for overtime exemption eligibility at the 40th percentile of weekly earnings for FT salaried workers, which for 2016 is projected to be $970 a week or $50,440 annually. The DOL is proposing to update the salary level automatically on an annual basis, either based on percentiles of earnings or changes in inflation. In addition, the DOL is also considering changes to the duties test. We have many extension educators and exempt employees with salaries below the proposed threshold who routinely work over 40 hours per week. Above and beyond funding issues, we may be facing a host of other challenges and hard decisions, from requiring agents and agricultural professionals to complete time sheets, to restricting educator cell phone/tablet/laptop use outside working hours, to benefits and leave accrual issues, and potential salary compression issues, just to name a few. Are you having similar concerns and discussions? Have you estimated the number of your currently exempt employees below the proposed salary threshold or the potential overtime these folks may be working? Do you plan to submit comments to the DOL by September 4, 2015? Any information and/or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Donna Donna Rothberg Director of Human Resources UA Cooperative Extension Service 2301 S. University Ave. Little Rock, AR 72204 [log in to unmask] www.uaex.edu phone (501) 671-2219 fax (501) 671-2251 NOTICE: This email may contain confidential or proprietary information and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for the named recipient(s). Any unauthorized review, use, copy, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.