UNPROFESSIONAL TREATMENT IN A PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT

August 20, 2016

Christopher Anderson

You work in a tall office building, with an elevator.  You wear nice clothes to work. You have business cards, and a formal title.  You work hard, and are good at what you do.  You work long hours, if anyone were keeping track.  But when it comes right down to it, you suspect you’re not getting paid what you should be.  But you’re salaried, and don’t punch a clock – you’re not owed anything extra for overtime…. or are you?

Get Ready for the New Overtime Rule

The law is about to change when it comes to salaried executive, administrative or professional positions.  There is a new rule that will come into effect December 1, 2016 saying that anyone who makes less than $913 per week will have to be paid overtime (before that it’s $455 per week under federal law, other rates under some states’ laws).  So, if you hold a position now that is salaried, as of December 1st, by federal law, the company will have to either:

• Pay you overtime OR
• Adjust your salary to over $913 a week

What If I Make More Than That?

If you already make more than $913 per week (or $47,476 per year) as a salaried employee, you could still be eligible for overtime pay: it depends on whether or not your duties exempt you from overtime laws.

Even if you make over the baseline salary amount per week, if your duties do not fit the definitions for an executive, administrative, or professional position or certain other narrow exemptions, your employer must pay you time and a half for any work hours that exceed the 40-hour weekly threshold.

Don’t Be Taken Advantage Of

An employer may not legally benefit from your overtime work while intentionally failing to pay you appropriately. Plain and simple. Both federal law and many states’ laws mandate that you be fairly compensated for the work you do, but wage theft is all too rampant. With the new overtime rule for salaried employees coming in December, make sure that you get paid what you deserve. If your employer is big on demands but low on compensation, contact the attorneys at AndersonDodson today. We will strive to maximize your recovery and send your boss the message that being cheap can be expensive.