Comments On DOL Exemption Proposals Illustrate Great Divide

The 60-day comment period closed on September 4, 2015 for the USDOL's proposed (and for employers, controversial) overtime changes.  There were an amazing 250,000 comments submitted and this highlights the chasm between the commenters and the fear felt by employers who dread that their businesses will be hurt (or buried) by the proposed changes.  Other commenters maintain the changes will facilitate more equal and proper payment for many workers.

Support for expanding overtime eligibility comes from nonprofits, individual workers, some human resources professionals and some organizations, although some nonprofits join universities, businesses and trade associations in highlighting the potential problems associated with raising the minimum salary threshold required to qualify for the Fair Labor Standards Act's "white collar" exemption to $50,440 per year.