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 40^th 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
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www.uaex.edu
phone (501) 671-2219    
fax (501) 671-2251

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