Boston Globe Interviews Philip Gordon About Impact of New Department of Labor Rules
Recently, Boston Globe spoke with employment attorney Philip Gordon about the impact of new overtime rules issued by the US Department of Labor. The article titled Low Income Managers May Started Getting Paid for Overtime—breaks down how wage protections may soon reach workers previously excluded under federal exemption rules.
Gordon explains that these rulings reflect a shift toward protecting modest-salary supervisors who historically met both salary and duties tests that allowed employers to avoid paying overtime wages even when employees worked more than 40 hours per week.
What Are the Department of Labor Overtime Rule Changes?
The new interpretation from the Department of Labor may revise how overtime exemptions apply, particularly for managers earning near the minimum salary threshold tied to the Fair Labor Standards Act.
These protections fall under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which governs wage rules, hour limits, and worker classification. Historically, many salaried managers earning at least $455 per week, and performing “managerial duties,” were exempt from overtime pay. The Department of Labor is now reassessing whether low-income supervisors truly fit the intended exemption.
A link to that article is included here (Boston Globe Article). Let me know your thoughts.
