News Release
US Department of Labor to hold listening session for Midwest employers, industry stakeholders on possible revisions to overtime regulations
CHICAGO ─ The U.S. Department of Labor will hold an online listening session for Midwest workers, employers and other stakeholders on May 20, 2022, on possible revisions to the regulations that enforce the Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum wage and overtime exemptions for executive, administrative and professional employees.
Since 1938, federal overtime regulations have been a cornerstone of the laws the department’s Wage and Hour Division enforces. These regulations protect workers and benefit workers and their families, their employers and the community at-large. The FLSA requires employers to pay most U.S. employees at least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked, and overtime pay at not less than time and one-half the regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
The law, however, provides an exemption from minimum wage and overtime pay for workers employed as “bona fide” executive, administrative or professional employees. In general, to be exempt, employees must meet certain tests regarding their job duties and be paid on a salary basis at not less than $684 per week.
“Our goal is to use these sessions to listen, engage the public and hear their perspectives on the possible impact of changes to the regulations,” explained Acting Wage and Hour Division Administrator Jessica Looman. “In today’s competitive labor market, job quality and fair pay are critical to retaining and recruiting the people needed to keep businesses open.”
“Industry demands and the challenges employers face are an important part of any discussion on regulatory change. We want to hear from industry leaders and employers,” Looman added.
The division announced that it will hold a listening session for employers and industry stakeholders as follows:
WHO: Employers, employer representatives, employer associations
WHEN: Friday, May 20, 2022 2:30-3:30 p.m. CDT
