U.S. Department of Labor Releases Long-Awaited Overtime Rule

Originally Published By: Troutman Sanders LLP on March 12, 2019

Last week, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) issued its long-awaited proposed change to the minimum salary threshold for the white-collar exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The new minimum salary threshold is $35,308/year (or $679/week).

This new rule is not finalized nor in effect now. Rather, the new rule is open for a notice and comment period, with the DOL accepting public comments for 60 days after the rule is published in the Federal Register. The Department of Labor predicts that the new rule will likely become effective in January 2020.

The Justice Department Sept. 5 asked a federal appeals court to dismiss the DOJ’s appeal in the ongoing battle over a stalled Obama overtime rule that was expected to make some 4 million workers newly eligible for time-and-a-half pay.

Employers everywhere will likely experience some budgetary change to comply, but it’s hard to know exactly what that change will be. At the same time, knowing what may be coming down the pike can only prepare employers more for how to handle the final regulations when they come into effect.